So.. after i did the three inch lift i got got an alignment at the local Firestone. Roughly $150 for the lifetime alignment service (as long as i own the vehicle) i jumped on the lifetime alignment cause i knew i would be messing with the suspension of the jeep quite a bit. After the lift and alignment the jeep was pulling to the right pretty good. I thought maybe the track bar was to blame, so i purchased a track bar relocation bracket, installed that, and got it aligned for free with my lifetime alignment.

After the relocation bracket and SECOND alignment the jeep was STILL pulling right and developed severe bump steer and a loose feeling steering wheel. I took it back to Firestone, and explained my problem. To solve the "pulling right" problem, they decided to start messing with the caster a bit via the two bolts on the back of the lower control arms. The caster had not been adjusted up to this point, only the toe.

The second alignment significantly fixed my "pulling right" problem, but not the bump steer problem/loose steering wheel problem. The steering wheel still had a very loose feeling with a lot of play in it. For example, to make a simple 90 degree turn, the steering wheel makes a big rotation, almost 180 degrees. I decided to take it back for a THIRD alignment. When i went back for the third time, the technician recommended that i remove the relocation bracket (he said something about not needing it at only 3", and it was messing with the pitman arm or something..??) so i went ahead and put the track bar back to the stock location, then had it aligned a AGAIN.

After the third alignment the jeep was driving exceptionally straight, unless i'm doing 70 on the freeway (still a slight pull to the right). The bump steer issue was also ALOT better from removing the track bar bracket. BUT, the loose steering problem is still really bad. Like i said, it feels really loose, and has a lot of play in it. It's kinda hard to drive it at higher speeds.

The caster adjustment and track bar relocation bracket were done at the same time so i didn't know what to blame for the loose steering issue. But even after i removed the track bar bracket I'm still having the issue, so i assume it is the caster that messed with the feeling of my steering wheel??

Sorry to write a novel for a post, but i feel all the information is necessary to help diagnose the problem. To summarize: I did the track bar relocation bracket (then removed it), and also messed with the caster, and now my steering wheel has lots of play in it and is all loosey goosey. SO.. the main question: WHAT IS CAUSING MY STEERING WHEEL ISSUE AND HOW DO I FIX IT!??

Again, sorry for the novel. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks a bunch guys.

 

u joints, tie rod, something of the nature?

 

The alignment shop (firestone) checked tie rod ends, u joints, ball joints, etc. Everything checked out good. Again, this problem happened after installing (and removing) the track bar relocation bracket, and messing with the caster via the lower control arms..

 

The firestone guy was probably talking about how the track bar and the steering link need to be parallel for some reason, did they check the tie rod end on the track bar? or the bushing in it? bolts all tight?
also check your steering stabilizer while you are down there.

 

Ya i think it was the parallel issue.. ha he was talking so fast i didn't really catch anything. When i was in the shop, we went over everything and it was all tight. I'm thinking messin' with the two bolts on the back of the control arms messed with my steering. I'm might buy some adjustable lower control arms and go from there...