Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Wobbly/loose front end!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 02:30 PM
  #1  
Borgli's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default Wobbly/loose front end!

I just finished up putting in new tre, trackbar, tie rod, steering dampener and balljoints, basicly the entire front end. The problem I am having now is; when driving it feels very wobbly, like the body is moving over the axle. But when i stop the car and turn the steeringwheel the tires moves as the should, now slack at all. All the bolts are on tight. Whats going on?
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 02:35 PM
  #2  
jtm01xj's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 0
From: whiting
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Borgli
I just finished up putting in new tre, trackbar, tie rod, steering dampener and balljoints, basicly the entire front end. The problem I am having now is; when driving it feels very wobbly, like the body is moving over the axle. But when i stop the car and turn the steeringwheel the tires moves as the should, now slack at all. All the bolts are on tight. Whats going on?
You got the death wobble well you got to get an aliment and if you got a adjustable track bar get that relined too
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 02:41 PM
  #3  
Borgli's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

No its not death wobble. Maybe I explained it wrong. I have to keep adjusting the steering wheel trying to go straight. And after making a turn I have to turn the wheel what feels like to much to the other side to go straight again. It feels like something is loose. I havent driven fast yet, maybe 20 mph, I turned and drove back home since it was so weird.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 02:53 PM
  #4  
Darkvampmaster's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

sounds like a steering box 2 me
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 02:57 PM
  #5  
Borgli's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

It wasn't like this before I changed the tre, that shouldnt mess up the steering box...
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 03:13 PM
  #6  
belvedere's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 1
From: SD
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Have you had it aligned since the new parts? Sounds like toe is way off.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 03:22 PM
  #7  
tjwalker's Avatar
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by belvedere
Have you had it aligned since the new parts? Sounds like toe is way off.
Yup, alignment is mandatory with what you did. You CANNOT install balljoints and not perform an alignment.

Last edited by tjwalker; Nov 18, 2012 at 06:25 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 04:06 PM
  #8  
Borgli's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Ill try tomorrow and see if it fixes it.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 04:10 PM
  #9  
XJ Hero's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Oakham, MA
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Agreed, alignment is a must with those new parts...if its still doing that after an alignment id check your steering linkage, make sure the box, u-joints, shaft, all that are good. Also make sure your track bar is adjusted properly, sounds like that might be over/underadjusted.
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 04:36 PM
  #10  
Wolfmann's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 0
From: Chester County, PA
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by Borgli
No its not death wobble. Maybe I explained it wrong. I have to keep adjusting the steering wheel trying to go straight. And after making a turn I have to turn the wheel what feels like to much to the other side to go straight again. It feels like something is loose. I havent driven fast yet, maybe 20 mph, I turned and drove back home since it was so weird.
I had the same issue after installing my jks adj tracbar. My problem was the lower trac bar bolt was worn down which caused there to be a slight gap my lower bracket also started to oval alittle. I replaced the lower bolt with a similer maybe slightly larger in diameter bolt and havent had the issue since. Try that, it only takes 2 minutes to take off the trac bar
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 06:07 PM
  #11  
rand4x4's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Default

I did the same thing, Looks like u still have old shocks. But mine was going to tire center that did not put a good balance on the tires and rims. I went to goodyear and they told me they where way off balance now she rides great. Just a thought?
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2012 | 10:23 PM
  #12  
Borgli's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

How do i adjust the trackbar? Its just a solid piece of steel.. All the shocks are new, new springs. Ill go out and try and get her aligned after work.
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 01:37 AM
  #13  
OleBlue's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 0
From: Yakima
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Sounds like your track bar bolts are loose. Check the frame side and axle side, also check the frame side mount bolts.

the feeling you are getting, is it like the body moves sidewyas before the tires start to turn, if so thats def your problem as the trackbar holds the axle in place.

Have someone get in and turn the wheel left and right while you are looking at all the tre pivots and trackbar bolt locations. If there is any movement at all, tighten them up.
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 03:42 AM
  #14  
Darkvampmaster's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

this my sound a little funny but my buddy just had a wobble problem......... it was a broken belt in the tire..... never hurts to check! good luck either way
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2012 | 04:32 AM
  #15  
mrfajita's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,405
Likes: 2
From: Fort Collins, CO
Year: 1996
Engine: 4.0L HO
Default

Check the steering box bolts. Also, with it stopped and not running on a flat surface, how much can you turn the steering wheel before the tires move? My Jeep did that when the stock gearbox was broken, maybe you just never noticed it until the rest of the front end was tightened up.
Also check your control arm bushings. and x2 to having someone turn the steering back and forth while you look underneath (hold the brakes while doing so, puts more strain on steering and makes a loose part more noticeable)
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:56 AM.