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Suspension guys - car wanders in R/H turns

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Old Oct 11, 2015 | 11:58 PM
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Year: 1992
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Default Suspension guys - car wanders in R/H turns

92 DD 165k Driving at speed 55-65 mph she'll follow the steering inputs just fine. R/H turns are very different with a wandering action not induced by the driver. This action is unnerving because the nose will wonder to the left without turning the wheel. Then comeback to the line I'm trying to hold. The "comeback" can be abrupt depending on the pressure of the turn. And if not careful will start to oscillate until I exit the turn. I can't imagine pulling our 8' pop-up in the mountains.

Mods are really not much. Factory height, bigger F/R sway bars, rear disc conversion. 4.0 stock AT Tow pack.
Maintenance to date include fresh shocks, new springs (Crown) freshened rear-end/axle bearings, fresh trackbar, steering dampener, steering box, PS pump and steering shaft rubber isolation dampener. Replaced RH upper control arm bushings, LH is solid.

After inspecting at the RH suspension on a rack the lower control arm bolt was pushed back 1/2", this was corrected two years ago. I noticed the front always sat right side low by 1", new springs did not correct the difference. This also corrected two years ago.

I was thinking a worn king pin. Or a suspension problem I'm unaware of. Worst a chassis problem where cracks occur.

Something to think about. Toss around some ideas or experiences. Eh?


Last edited by MtnGoat; Oct 12, 2015 at 12:01 AM.
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Old Oct 12, 2015 | 09:49 PM
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Buddy's WJ was doing something very similar. How are the ball joints?
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Old Oct 12, 2015 | 09:49 PM
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And does it have an aftermarket track bar?
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Old Oct 13, 2015 | 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Jooman07
And does it have an aftermarket track bar?
A replacement bar two years 10-12K miles old now.
Tried to check for movement with a crow bar. Nothing to report there.
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Old Oct 13, 2015 | 12:32 AM
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Sway bar links? There is alot of difference between moving it with a crowbar and the weight of the jeep during a turn
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Old Oct 13, 2015 | 05:52 PM
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Checked for rubber condition and security.
Everything is tight.
Thanks for the thought.
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 03:30 AM
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Have you checked tire pressure?
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Old Oct 15, 2015 | 07:42 AM
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get someone to wiggle the steering wheel or kind of short turns back and forth sort of rapidly, enough to get all the linkage moving while you get your head under there to inspect what all the steering components are doing. look and feel with your hands for movement in the joints that should be tight.
look closely at the frame where the steering box bolts up for any movement/cracks.
pay special attention to track bar mounting points along with the frame bracket.

then jack up the front a couple inches off the ground and grab the wheel at 9 and 3 and wiggle for any loose play.
then grab a pry bar, longer the better and stick it under the wheel and lift up abruptly to feel for any knocking in the ball joints.

this should get you a little closer to narrowing down your faulty component.
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Old Oct 16, 2015 | 11:27 AM
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Thanks caged
I'll be trying this tomorrow
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