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Officially a JEEP owner today

7K views 33 replies 18 participants last post by  Laggy 
#1 ·
Stole this little jewel today. Ran into a girl Monday that desperately needed out of this '05 "X" model wrangler, 6sp 6cyl with 19k on the clock. Only 800 miles ago, she had a 4" lift installed along with 5 new rims and 5 new BF Goodrich 31's.

Had no clue what one was worth so went to my credit union and had the lender book it for me. Retail was $17,250 and loan was $15,200. I drove it home today with a clear title in hand for $11,000 ...... :punk::punk::punk:

Now I have a question about it. I suppose it's from the lift being installed, she said they had to add something to steering linkage ( ? ? ? ), anyhow, the steering wheel sits cockeyed now, what should be the top of the wheel with the jeep logo in the center, is now turned about 1/4 turn to the left when the wheels are pointed straight.

What's up with this and how can it be remedied ? Just looks funny driving straight down the road with the steering wheel turned off center like that.

 
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#4 ·
Birdhunter, I'm about to exhibit my ignorance in the jeep world. I've heard of the Dana 44 rear ends, but don't know anymore about what one my do over another, but just went out and checked and don't see a metal plug, instead about halfway up on the backside of the rearend, it looks like a black plastic or rubber plug of some sort ? ? ? ?
 
#6 ·
If there is a rubber plug, it´s a D35 rear axle. That´s weaker tha the D44.

What did the do with the steering linkage? Did they install a dropped pitman arm? If yes: That´s not needed and wil cause some problems like death wobble.

To center the steering wheel you have to turnaround the thing with teh 2 clamps on it at the tie-rod (loosen the clamps before).



Here´s a good write-up: Basic Jeep Front End Alignment
 
#20 ·
What did the do with the steering linkage? Did they install a dropped pitman arm? If yes: That´s not needed and wil cause some problems like death wobble.
What engineering is this based off of? I have never experience death wobble doing 80 on the freeway. Death wobble has to do with your alignment. The reason for the dropped pitman arm is to flatten the angle of your drag link. When you go over a bump, with your steering the steering wheel will twist a bit due to the angle of the drag link (the sin of the angle of you drag link determines to how much extent it twists)
so a drop pitman arm actually decreases death wobble, but increases bump steer. Ill take the bump steer over death wobble anyday. heck im used to it now.
 
#9 ·
nicholas-eric

Here's a couple of pics of what's under there. Don't know if this will tell you anything about what may be installed, she just told me the wheel was like that after they got through putting the lift on it......



 
#10 ·
That pitman arm looks bigger to me than the pitma arm on the pic I postet before.
Please look at my pic above again. How is your track bar attached to the axle?

She said that the steering wheel was off afgter installing the lift? Then you should do a complete front alignment like in the write-up link I postet before. After installing a lift the tow-in is off. That has to be corrected.
 
#11 ·
Sounds to me like she didn't get an alignment after she had the lift installed which is REQUIRED. Hurry up and do it quick or those nice new tires won't be so nice for long, but would be a good excuse to upgrade to 33's which would fit nicely under a 4" lift!
 
#12 ·
nicholas-eric, here is another shot of where the trackbar attaches to the axle. It can be seen just under the shock absorber and attaches to the bottom of the bracket that the absorber attaches to, which is all attached to the front axle.

 
#13 ·
That´s the stock track bar mount position.

IMO you have a dropped pitman arm. With that the drag-link and the tie rod are´t parallel anymore what could cause some problems.

Perhaps somebody with a better knowledge should take a look at your pics, like Jerry Bransford..

Regardless of that you should make a front alignment. When it´s off the tires wil wear faster.
 
#14 ·
I'll definately get it in for an alignment and thanks for your help !!! Hopefully this Jerry Bransford may lend some advice of what I have or more so, what else I may need differently ... Thanks again !!!!!
 
#15 ·
Nicolas-Eric nailed it Rico334, the previous owner installed a dropped Pitman arm when a stock upper trackbar mount is still being used... a BIG no-no where a TJ is concerned. That causes bump steer which is where the steering is forced left/right as the front suspension moves up and down over bumps/dips in the road.

You really need to have an OE (factory) Pitman arm reinstalled and get rid of that dropped Pitman arm. Once done, your steering will immediately be MUCH better and you will no longer have bump steer. Many owners of Jeeps that have bump steer have no idea they have bump steer and just assume it's supposed to feel that way going over bumps or dips in the road.... it's not. :)
 
#16 ·
Stole this little jewel today. Ran into a girl Monday that desperately needed out of this '05 "X" model wrangler, 6sp 6cyl with 19k on the clock. Only 800 miles ago, she had a 4" lift installed along with 5 new rims and 5 new BF Goodrich 31's.

Had no clue what one was worth so went to my credit union and had the lender book it for me. Retail was $17,250 and loan was $15,200. I drove it home today with a clear title in hand for $11,000 ...... :punk::punk::punk:

Now I have a question about it. I suppose it's from the lift being installed, she said they had to add something to steering linkage ( ? ? ? ), anyhow, the steering wheel sits cockeyed now, what should be the top of the wheel with the jeep logo in the center, is now turned about 1/4 turn to the left when the wheels are pointed straight.

What's up with this and how can it be remedied ? Just looks funny driving straight down the road with the steering wheel turned off center like that.


Oh you poor bugger, you just lost your freedom, you are now a Jeep Slave.
 
#29 ·
DO NOT REMOVE STEERING WHEEL.
Super easy adjustment on steering wheel.
Put a piece of tape around true top center of steering wheel.
Loosen 2 nuts on drag link sleeve (comes off pitman arm)
Turn sleeve with channel locks. Clockwise makes steering wheel adjust right, other way makes it adjust left. Can't remember right now. Just keep poking your head up from under jeep and look at piece of tape on steering wheel.
 
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