Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Is this caused by my lockers or steering alignment

Old Sep 10, 2012 | 09:16 AM
  #1  
Elexwiz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Wheel, break, fix, repeat
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake, VA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: AMC I6 4.0
Default Is this caused by my lockers or steering alignment

I have Aussies installed front and rear (D30, 8.25). They're getting broken in fairly well. They are worth their weight in gold on the trail. I have an 87 with a 5-speed manual Peugeot tranny, NP231, and regular ole' 29" tires. Here's my conundrum.

- When accelerating in a straight line 1st gear is "normal" but when shifting into 2nd, 3rd, and 4th she wants to pull sharply and quickly, "dart", to the right.
- When downshifting from 5th, 4th, 3rd... she darts to the left.

I would automatically think "alignment" but when just coasting with the clutch in and let go of the wheel she will track straight.

Here's another weird characteristic. When backing up she will "rear up" on the right side. The right rear corner goes up higher than the left.

As I've said, she runs great on the trails and crawls up anything I point her at. I've checked the rear axles and locker tests pass with flying colors.

Any ideas? Thanks.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2012 | 09:25 AM
  #2  
nickxj94's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: vanburen
Year: 1995 &2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Yes sounds like the lockers are working lol that's what they do, now if you was welded it be worse
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2012 | 09:41 AM
  #3  
Elexwiz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Wheel, break, fix, repeat
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake, VA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: AMC I6 4.0
Default

If that's normal then so-be-it, I'm happy. I searched and searched but couldn't find any reference to this specific behavior. But there were plenty of warnings about driving in the snow and ice. Thanks nick!
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2012 | 10:33 AM
  #4  
nickxj94's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 720
Likes: 1
From: vanburen
Year: 1995 &2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Yeah it can get away from you in snow and ice or even rain. Just becarefull when that stuff comes down don't want a totalled xj.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2012 | 01:23 PM
  #5  
rompnXJ's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 367
Likes: 1
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by nickxj94
Yes sounds like the lockers are working lol that's what they do, now if you was welded it be worse
yup. normal. its torque steer due to differences in axleshaft length. didnt feel it till i put lockers in.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2012 | 07:31 PM
  #6  
Elexwiz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Wheel, break, fix, repeat
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake, VA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: AMC I6 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by rompnXJ

yup. normal. its torque steer due to differences in axleshaft length. didnt feel it till i put lockers in.
I've never heard of torque steer before. I hope you're telling me that the front axle is causing the torque steer because I'm fairly certain the rear shafts are the same length.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2012 | 07:53 PM
  #7  
Elexwiz's Avatar
Thread Starter
Wheel, break, fix, repeat
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake, VA
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: AMC I6 4.0
Default

And as I said in my original post, I searched but couldn't find a reason for my situation. Now I know its called torque steer. A quick "torque steer site:CherokeeForum.com" finds oodles and oodles of info. I didn't realize how much Tire pressure affects lockers on the street. I dropped my pressures for Labor Day weekend at Uwharrie. I didn't reset the pressures yet either. Thanks guys!
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2012 | 09:40 PM
  #8  
rompnXJ's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 367
Likes: 1
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by Elexwiz
I've never heard of torque steer before. I hope you're telling me that the front axle is causing the torque steer because I'm fairly certain the rear shafts are the same length.
yes, the rear axleshafts are the same length, but you dont steer with the rear axle lol.
what you're feeling is caused by the front axle, because the right axle is twice as long as the left one.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2012 | 11:16 PM
  #9  
Dan91's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 0
From: Williston, North Dakota
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by rompnXJ
yes, the rear axleshafts are the same length, but you dont steer with the rear axle lol.
what you're feeling is caused by the front axle, because the right axle is twice as long as the left one.
This makes sense, but only if you're driving around in 4x4. In 2wd there is no power to the front axle, thus, no torque steer can occur. Otherwise the only explanation is tire pressure difference.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tokelyn
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
8
Sep 8, 2015 12:22 AM
ARCH4NGEL_II
Modified XJ Cherokee Tech
0
Sep 7, 2015 12:18 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:06 PM.