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Question about handeling

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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 01:46 PM
  #1  
Heinz57Fox's Avatar
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Year: 1996
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Default Question about handeling

Ok here's the question I just recently acquired a 96' cherokee xj with a
5.5" lift and 33 x 12.5 tires I was driving it home and the steering on it is ultra sensitive. Someone told me it is normal with that high of a lift and that large of a tire. My question is would it help if I put on a steering shock or a better steering stabilizer to improve handeling and what would be a good one to go with?

Thanks for any help!
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 01:56 PM
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firstime00XJ's Avatar
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With that tall of a lift and that large of tires, you should have at least one steering stabilizer already, if not two. By ultra sensitive, I'm guessing you mean that the Jeep reacts to the slightest input from the driver? You may want to upgrade to a larger sway bar if it is a stock sway bar.
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 02:02 PM
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check each and every bushing.. everyone... replace any that look wore... track bar especially.. i just replaced mine on the houseing and i can tell diferance...
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 02:04 PM
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Elaborate on "sensitive". I'm at the same height and tire size and mine is anything but sensitive. Vague would be a more appropriate word. Wanders like a dog in heat and I feel like I'm steering it with a wet noodle. But that's cuz I'm still running the stock steering linkage.

As for a steering stabilizer, they're really more of a band aid than anything. Your best bet would be to upgrade your steering and work on getting your angles into optimum range. By getting your tie rod and track bar angles to match up you don't even need to run a stabilizer.
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by firstime00XJ
With that tall of a lift and that large of tires, you should have at least one steering stabilizer already, if not two. By ultra sensitive, I'm guessing you mean that the Jeep reacts to the slightest input from the driver? You may want to upgrade to a larger sway bar if it is a stock sway bar.
I'm guessing you mean that the Jeep reacts to the slightest input from the driver? Yes, that is what I meant. Actually if I let go of the steering so long as I do not hit a bump I go straight as an arrow. and how do I tell if it is a stock sway bar?
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Old Feb 19, 2010 | 03:36 PM
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post some pics of whats under it....
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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 11:01 AM
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Default heres some pics of whats underneath

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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 11:50 AM
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I just lifted mine and put the same size tires on and it wanders a little more than it use to but it has always been very responsive.
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Old Mar 5, 2010 | 05:10 PM
  #9  
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Talking

Aha! Ok, it has been figured out it was a hub. The hub on it was about ready to fall off so it was replaced and the steering is much better then before. Thanks to everyone for their help I really appreciate it.
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Old Mar 5, 2010 | 05:32 PM
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with that much lift i would recommend a drop pitman arm to take that extreme angle out of the linkage.
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