CrawlinPepper

Having a weird steering issue. When I make a hard left at slower speeds sometimes the wheel tends to get cocked to the left a bit when I am driving straight. But it will eventually even itself out after driving and making a few rights. It doesn't move other than that, only on hard lefts does it seem to move and not at high speeds. I am running a 1 ton UTK steering (everything is right), a dirty 30 with 4.10s, Aussie locker, etc. I have no death wobble or anything like that, although I have a very little bit of play with my steering wheel which I assume is normal. Anybody have any ideas what it could be?

Thanks

cherokee90

The dead spot that comes with utk kits, its from the tie rod rotating the slack out. Do you have the poly spacers serious offroad sales to correct this?

CrawlinPepper

No I do not, does it basically fit on the TRE and limit the rotation of the tie rod?

caged

two things to look at.
first would be the track bar. this is what i'm thinking as to your steering wheel returning to off-center.

then i would look at your end link where your drag link attaches. is the drag link coming down in front of the center link/end link, or down on top.
if it rotates the rod end, this can create another dead spot.
a pic would help me explain this.

CrawlinPepper

I'll get a pic in a few

CrawlinPepper

Snapped a few, mind the rust here and there. Definitely needs to be touched up before winter.













Think it could be the upper track bar bushing?

caged

yeah, that RE flex joint definitely needs a rebuild. no question there. you do however need the RE spanner tool to take it apart.

also, don't think it is relative, but there is a crap load of exposed threads on that outer end link on the passenger side.
is there the same amount of exposed thread on the drivers side?

CrawlinPepper

Holy ****, I didn't even notice that. Long story short I had the truck aligned and had a bunch of problems with the people who did it. I'm wondering wtf they did now. Thanks for noticing that.

CrawlinPepper

I have the whole thing apart now and decided to mess with the track bar. Took the upper bushing off, but I am really getting no play whatsoever. I called RE and they mentioned that if it's loose it needs rebuilding, but it takes a long screwdriver to even budge it. Still think it needs to be replaced just from looks? I know it looks bad but it cleaned up fairly well.

caged

nah, if there's no play, i wouldn't worry about it right now. just grease it up and that should be fine.

tie rod ends are tight and not getting any lateral movement? wallowed out steering knuckles at the TRE's?
otherwise, i'm stumped...

CrawlinPepper

No, everything is great. The steering is all new from JCR. That's why I am stumped as well.

It's not like there is even any play to it either, since I already fixed the TRE with the poly puck instead of grease boot to eliminate the turning of the tie rod. It only happens on a hard slow turn then it's stuck until it works itself out.

The only thing I have been thinking it could be lately it the power steering box. May it was knocked hard when it was being wheeled with the wheels turned causing something to move or break inside of it where it will throw off the steering if it goes that far. Any thoughts?

caged

how is the frame around the steering box bolts?
mine was cracking just enough around the bolt heads to feel weird.
then i plated the frame up on both sides and now it feels better than new.

CrawlinPepper

I will check it out today, thanks.