[1398653]

Ok, Since installed my lift, I have gone wheeling twice. Both times, upon leaving the woods and getting on the road I realize my steering wheel is no longer centered and my ESP is going nuts. I have to recenter the steering wheel. The first time it was WAY off. The 2nd time only about 15 degrees. I have wheeled it about 5 times before my lift and never had an issue. I am just wondering how many of yall have had the same problem, whether you are lifted and how much and if you have ever figured out what causes this and finally what can be done to stop it. PLEASE DO NOT VOTE IF YOU DONT WHEEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[redrockin7]

You mean just after wheeling? LOL... I think mine goes out of wack not even after wheeling for some reason. Haha. But definitely after some wheeling...

The worst time was after a wheeling trip where I wacked the tie rod and some steering components off a rather large boulder. Despite wacking the boulder nothing appeared bent, just sent the ESP into fits b/c it was off 30+ degrees when attempting to leave the ORV park.

A few turns of the ratchet and some WD40 to loosen the turnbuckle, a few turns of the buckle, wheel pretty much straight again and no ESP issue...

Funny thing is I have the AEV procal which has a steering wheel center function (makes the turn signal lights light up direction you need to turn the wheel, etc). Even when the wheel was roughly 20 degrees off the procal was telling me it was centered (both turn signals and lamps on). LOL. I don't know, its close to straight now and no ESP so thats all I worry about.\

EDIT: Realized I might have left out some important info in pinpointing problem (after seeing N2rock post) - I have rough country coil lift and shocks 2.5" and 1" body lift. 35" KM2. Manual teraflex quick disconnects. I do not have adjustable trackbars (yet). Running rubi axles locked front/rear e-locker (although doubt this has much to do with steering coming uncentered).

[N2rock]

I have wheeled so many times I can't count. And in all sorts of situations. And have never had my steering get un-center.

RC 2.5" Lift with additional 3/4" spacers, running 35" KM2's... Manual disconnects, and front/rear adjustable trackbars. Aussie Locker front, OX locker rear.

[1222]

I hit a boulder once with my right front tire while wheeling in a desert wash and it stopped me Jeep instantly. It even stopped the engine. All kinds of crap happened after that. Took a bit to realize what was wrong. Limped back home and straightened the steering wheel and all was good again.

[Steve98]

This used to happen with my old ZJ and TJ, with the crap inverted Y, but never on my JK. I run the AEV 4.5" premium kit with the steering grade.

[JIMBOX]

I recentered my steering IMMEDIATELY after the 2.5" lift, without driving, I didn't want to give the ECM a chance to start coding, so I haven't had any off-center problems

JIMBO

[1222]

I drove out of the desert and home, which was about 60 miles and didn’t get any codes. Least I don’t think I have any.

[openloop]

check your trackbar bracket.
I'd be willing to bet the welds have failed.
Same thing happened to my rig.
good luck.

[redrockin7]

*shrug*

Didn't notice any failed brackets on mine, will have to take another look, but we inspected things pretty good after centering it the last time and it has held center, but... I have heard of failure on these brackets, especially if certain lifts or aftermarket add-on brackets are used.

[DeepSky]

No failed brackets here. This doesn't happen to me everytime but it just so happened to me this past weekend while on an off-road/camping trip.

Although I was hitting stuff a lot hard this time around so I wasn't shocked when I got back on pavement and noticed that my wheel was about 40* off center. Re-centered before the 5 hour drive home and everything was fine.

[BrettDez]

I get offcentered often after wheeling. It's rather annoying and I have not been able to identify the problem.

[RockyClymer]

It happened to me a couple of times, then I really checked the torque on all the lift items, particularly the track bar - no real problems since re-tightening everything. Unless something is bending, loose or broken, not sure what it would be. Several TJ folks in our group say it is common with them and they do not know what the reason is....they expected me to just live with it, but I decided to retorque all bolts.

[MilitaryJK4455]

Originally Posted by redrockin7

Funny thing is I have the AEV procal which has a steering wheel center function (makes the turn signal lights light up direction you need to turn the wheel, etc). Even when the wheel was roughly 20 degrees off the procal was telling me it was centered (both turn signals and lamps on). LOL. I don't know, its close to straight now and no ESP so thats all I worry about.\

The procal unit tells you if the censor on the steering wheel and column are lined up. Not if you steering is straight.

[Imped]

Tighten the drag link adjuster. Obviously something is loose or that wouldn't be happening.

[Warlord2]

havent needed to recenter (or have allignment) my wheel ever sense I put the lift on, 20k miles ago...I retorque about every oil change, some bolts do tend to loosen up so I would suggest retorquing everything to be sure nothing is just loose.