Why does Jeep go all over the road

tporter · 04-25-2011, 01:40 PM

I have a 1998 TJ that I bought used with 71,000 miles on it. When I test drove the Jeep it felt like it was hard to keep on the road. I thought that it was due to worn out tires and needing an alignment. Since I bought it I put new tires on it and had it aligned, it still handles the same. It can be blown around by the wind, follows ruts in the road etc.... Any ideas what the problem could be?

**biffgnar** · 04-25-2011, 01:42 PM

Well, some of the things you mention are normal. A jeep is a brick on wheels (with a sail attached if you have a soft top) so it can be blown around by the wind alot. Bigger, wider tires follow ruts in the road easier than smaller, thinner tires. That being said, when your alignment was done did they check caster? Or just adjust the toe?

**GOLENJEEPTJ** · 04-25-2011, 01:47 PM

How are the shocks?You also have 98YJ listed in the thread?I think you meant TJ.How are the rest of your steering components?

**mdm** · 04-25-2011, 01:49 PM

Tire pressure too high?
Caster?
Toe-in?
Loose/worn steering components?
Loose/worn control arm or track bar bushings?
Steering box?

tporter · 04-25-2011, 02:00 PM

Sorry, it is a TJ. When I bought the Jeep it only had a body lift on it. I put a 3" lift on which included new shocks, springs, etc... Also had the alignment redone at a alignment shop that has done all of my work in the past. I have ran the tire pressure at 30 and 35 psi. So far no difference in the handling. Tires are BFG all terrains. Would the body lift effect anything, does tire pressure seem alright?

**mdm** · 04-25-2011, 02:02 PM

PSI is a bit high for me.
Dropped pitman arm?

RockMonster · 04-25-2011, 02:03 PM

^^^ x2 I re-did my front end and i have no problem keeping it on the road with short arms and 35's i dont have to even touch the steering wheel if its not windy.

tporter · 04-25-2011, 02:05 PM

Nothing done to the pitman arm, do I need to drop it? What psi do you recommend?

csm41 · 04-25-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tporter

Nothing done to the pitman arm, do I need to drop it? What psi do you recommend?

I don't think you need a drop pitman arm. Did you check the ball joints and tie rod ends? Also check the center link and trackbar. Also, the steering gear box may be the culprit. Check them ALL.

RX7TT · 04-25-2011, 02:44 PM

Good to know it's normal for them to be a bit squirrelly in the wind. I assumed it had to do with the fact that it has the aerodynamics of a house, but I was starting to worry a little.

j_niko · 04-25-2011, 02:46 PM

Check the axle u-joints

**biffgnar** · 04-25-2011, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tporter

What psi do you recommend?

28-30 area

05TurboS2K · 04-25-2011, 03:21 PM

What you're describing is quite typical of a vehicle with toe-out, though you said you had it aligned....

It also in a solid axle such as ours can be bump steer. (Less common in IFS etc.) I don't think this is the issue so much here though.

Mine wanders badly too, especially under braking or in wind. Given new shocks and such I'd say this is probably "normal" what you're experiencing.

I run anywhere from 8-16psi off-road and 30-40psi on road. I find very little difference in 30-40 psi other than picking up a little harsh vibrations transferred from the road surface along with a little boost in MPG which is why I run it high. Tire wear seems to be the same either way surprisingly, I expected it to wear unevenly but it hasn't. I assume these 3ply MT's are too stiff to matter above 30psi for the most part. I generally would assume 28-30psi is a good number but I've had a nice milage jump so I go for 38psi generally and refill if it leaks down below 32.

rondak46 · 04-25-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tporter

I put a 3" lift on which included new shocks, springs, etc...

What is included in the "ect"? Control arms, Adjustable ones? Does the Jeep sit higher in the back than the front, like it is supposed to? A high front end can cause a lack of Caster, given stock control arms. That can cause wandering, as it did in my Jeep. I had to get shorter springs for the front and the problem went away.

**Filthy-Beast** · 04-25-2011, 04:06 PM

Check all the suspension parts that can wear or get loose. Ball Joints, wheel bearings, tie-rods ends, drag-link mounting ends, track bar, Control arms, steering box. When you got alignment did you get a print-out of your readings? If so post them.

If everything tests out ok, then it's just normal Jeep Wander. I've thought several times the cop behind me was going to pull me over thinking I was DUI but they must be used to Jeep Wander also