Squirrelly front end after axle swap
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 90
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From: Edgewood nm
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Ok I wasn’t sure how to title this thread but here it is haha. After swapping in a 99 hp and installing a trutrac and 410s in the front and an 87 44 rear with 409s and a spartan locker whenever I’m driving on the freeway and I let off the gas and re-apply it shoots left and then corrects back to straight. Also when I’m cornering under power it’s a little difficult to turn but if I let off around the turn it’ll turn tighter. I’m at a loss on this one. I thought maybe wheel bearings in the front. Everything is tight and straight. The thrust dimensions are good and it’s square. Any ideas?
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,924
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From: Greenville, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
It's the way lunch box lockers act sometimes. That spartan in the rear wants you to go straight around corners and when you let off and reapply gas it can unlock and lock funky.
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,636
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From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Check the alignment, and make sure your tires are aired up evenly. I have Spartan lockers in the rear of two vehicles and a Detroit in another one and none of them do that.
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Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Edgewood nm
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Yes I had a local 4x4 shop align it. No I don’t have stock components. I have a crossover steering setup with heims. All control arms are aftermarket adjustable and same with track bar. Almost everything under the Jeep is new with the exception of wheel hubs
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
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From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
Alignment is good( or was good before the rear swap) tires are all within a few pounds of each.
Yes I had a local 4x4 shop align it. No I don’t have stock components. I have a crossover steering setup with heims. All control arms are aftermarket adjustable and same with track bar. Almost everything under the Jeep is new with the exception of wheel hubs
Yes I had a local 4x4 shop align it. No I don’t have stock components. I have a crossover steering setup with heims. All control arms are aftermarket adjustable and same with track bar. Almost everything under the Jeep is new with the exception of wheel hubs
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 90
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From: Edgewood nm
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I’ll get one ASAP. The angles are close, well close enough that I don’t get much bumpsteer. I think there’s about a 3.5-4 degree difference. What I’m experiencing definitely isn’t bumpsteer though. It’s very strange almost like the rear begins to crab walk for a split second and then returns to square. I had thought maybe my u bolts were bad so I had some made along with new plates as well. I’m thinking my next diagnosis step is to remove the front drive line and see if it still does it
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 90
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From: Edgewood nm
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood nm
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I understand the concept. Do you think that because of the locker and extra torque from the gears that I could cause a significant enough amount to change front tire direction even with a good anti sway bar?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 90
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From: Edgewood nm
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
Likes: 495
From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
One more question. Do you have your front sway bar hooked up?
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To upload pics you click on go advanced at the post button. Then click on manage attachments and follow directions
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood nm
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0


