Steering Quality Question ZJ 4.0 1997
03-08-2011, 02:30 AM
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Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Steering Quality Question ZJ 4.0 1997
Dear Friends
I replaced bushings on sway bars and track bars on both front and rear axles. Also put new tie rods for front axle. Adjusted steering box by following its procedure on service manual and your instruction here.
Ride quality significiantly imporved, drives like a new car, no roll or no swaying. found some of bushings were torn ,some of them were old enough.
i did not replace suspension arms or bushings. none of them. seemed ok to me.
i have no noise or weird feeling in steering wheel, but i can hear a faint clunking when travelling on plastic thin stripes on petesterian crossings if side windows are open. like i have a bad bushing.
When compared to my 97 BMW, or my previous car Nissan Pathfinder 99, steering system seems little soft. car can go straight, not pulling to left or right, but requires more input than expected especially if there is side wind outside.(like electric motor equipped steering systems in modern small cars and city driving mode on in low speeds - like being so easy to turn) wheels are BGF TA/KO 30inches.
i read about ZJ review, its date was 98 or so, related to 5.9. it was telling that "ZJ steering system was one of the most questioned part of that series".
should i invest on bushings on suspension arms?is that normal for ZJ? or is it related to bushings?
I replaced bushings on sway bars and track bars on both front and rear axles. Also put new tie rods for front axle. Adjusted steering box by following its procedure on service manual and your instruction here.
Ride quality significiantly imporved, drives like a new car, no roll or no swaying. found some of bushings were torn ,some of them were old enough.
i did not replace suspension arms or bushings. none of them. seemed ok to me.
i have no noise or weird feeling in steering wheel, but i can hear a faint clunking when travelling on plastic thin stripes on petesterian crossings if side windows are open. like i have a bad bushing.
When compared to my 97 BMW, or my previous car Nissan Pathfinder 99, steering system seems little soft. car can go straight, not pulling to left or right, but requires more input than expected especially if there is side wind outside.(like electric motor equipped steering systems in modern small cars and city driving mode on in low speeds - like being so easy to turn) wheels are BGF TA/KO 30inches.
i read about ZJ review, its date was 98 or so, related to 5.9. it was telling that "ZJ steering system was one of the most questioned part of that series".
should i invest on bushings on suspension arms?is that normal for ZJ? or is it related to bushings?
Last edited by gmv93; 03-08-2011 at 02:33 AM.
03-25-2011, 04:10 AM
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Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i invested! and i did a great thing. as a conclusion:
if your solid axle equipped 4x4 is swaying rolling or following tracks on pavement,
1- tighten you stering box if it is not broken
2- replace bushings of sway bar and track bars on both front and rear axles
3- replace suspension arms bushings in front. there are 4 arms to hold axle. you need to replace lower ones.
4- do an alignment and steering wheel adjustment.
our zj drives like a new car now.
if your solid axle equipped 4x4 is swaying rolling or following tracks on pavement,
1- tighten you stering box if it is not broken
2- replace bushings of sway bar and track bars on both front and rear axles
3- replace suspension arms bushings in front. there are 4 arms to hold axle. you need to replace lower ones.
4- do an alignment and steering wheel adjustment.
our zj drives like a new car now.
03-28-2011, 02:03 AM
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Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i forgot to tell. i also replaced the shock. actually broken one or old one do not affect ride quality significiantly but new one makes steering wheel more responsive when you try to turn it. it is crown branded. aftermarket one. bushings are prothane and crown branded.
i do not recommend urethane bushings for suspension arms becasue they tend to transfer sound and vibration from drive train to body.
i do not recommend urethane bushings for suspension arms becasue they tend to transfer sound and vibration from drive train to body.
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