Automan2164 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Or, my ZJ that is. I recently finished putting together my beloved '98 ZJ DD. It has been sitting quietly in the driveway since a unit bearing/axle/radiator problem grounded it in Nov, and I lost all motivation with the temperature drop. I just finished it up last weekend, and got it re-registered today... It rides amazing. After driving the '92 Eliminator for about 6 months, the tighter, fully coil springed, Limited interior is a welcome change. I picked up a JY ZJ D30, put brand new unit bearings on both sides, tossed in some new u-joints on the axle shafts, and completed it with new brakes and rotors. I also put in a new radiator and blemish Interstate battery. But, there is a small nagging problem. Running down the road, it wanders worse than Charlie Sheen at a whorehouse. Its not pulling or anything, nor does it have any death wobble, it just seems like I am always having to adjust the wheel to keep it in a straight path. It did this a bit before I parked it. Maybe its because the MJ doesn't do it, or because it got worse, but I definitely notice it more now. Probably looks like I have imbibed a few barreling down the road. The ladyfriend just came home, and I had her shake the wheel, both running and not, to check the joints... They all look good, and I don't see any play. I was thinking it could have been a worn track bar bushing, as it wonders but doesn't shake, but it seemed to be tight. When I had the axle down, I did have to move the stabilizer around, and it was still good. The alignment should be close as all I did was dropped the tie-rods, marked all my eccentric washers, and put everything in the same spot before. Shocks are all about a year or two old Rubicon express. Without going into my conundrum of what I think it could be, any ideas? Rob :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geonovast Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 It's gotta be something with the toe. You should still check it to make sure it's in - never assume it stays put when you change crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Got an angle finder? Sounds like you don't have enough caster, like it's been lifted w/o shimming out the LCAs back where they should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 Got an angle finder? Sounds like you don't have enough caster, like it's been lifted w/o shimming out the LCAs back where they should be. LCA's are maxed out... Before the axle swap, I was at the maximum amount of available shim, and just reached the lower limit of acceptable on the Jeep specs. This is kinda what I am worried about. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Yep, I think that's it. What is your caster? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 Yep, I think that's it. What is your caster? Gawd, it was so long ago, I would have to see if I could find the sheet. Can't say what it was offhand... Just in the lower limit though... Maybe I should try some toe-in, and see if that fixes it a bit. I'm trolling the National Grand Cherokee association forum now, seems to be a trend that ZJ's have a limited adjustment for caster. Anyone have that link handy for the do-it-yourself driveway alignment? I need a refresher... I am too used to the laser alignment machine at my old work... :oops: Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I use an angle finder on the ball joint face, both sides. But don't know if you can do that on a ZJ. :dunno: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kro10000 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 :agree: With above Most definitely the caster, assuming everything else is tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 I'll swing by the old dealer I worked at tomorrow, and see if I can't toss an old friend a $20 and check out my numbers. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I know the feeling. My '01XJ has a very "loose" steering wheel with what seems to be quite a bit of side to side slop. My MJ is kind of the same way, but my ZJ is tight, no squeaks, no weird noises, just solid. I love the heavier feel of the steering and the car in general. And the 5.9L Limited interior is like I'm driving in a lazy boy recliner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 ...And the 5.9L Limited interior is like I'm driving in a lazy boy recliner. My 4.0L Limited has the same interior, save for a light gray roof and pillars, and I love it. The one thing you don't think you need until you have it and go without are the steering wheel mounted radio controls... If you are a channel surfer like me, they are amazing. Rob :drool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Not quite the same. The 5.9L Limited interior is a different grain of leather than the standard Limited. The e-brake handle, transmission shifter, and transfer case shifter are also covered in the same leather. So is the center console lid. I believe all of the fake woodgrain trim is 5.9L-specific, but now I'm just nit-picking :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 Ok, ok. I forgot about the seats. You are right. They are a tad different... I seem to remember it being more the stitching pattern more than the grain IIRC... But I never caught the e-brake handle and the console lid... Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 96-98 ZJ leather seats: 98 5.9 seats: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 That can't be right... Did you get those reversed Sam? I have the second set, and could have sworn the 5.9's have the first. Any input on my steering problem Sir? Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 That can't be right... Did you get those reversed Sam? I have the second set, and could have sworn the 5.9's have the first. Any input on my steering problem Sir? Rob You have the second set? Those are the 5.9 seats that you have then. No comment about the steering, but if you would like to talk more about heated leather seats then I'm your guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 That can't be right... Did you get those reversed Sam? I have the second set, and could have sworn the 5.9's have the first. 96-98 ZJ leather seats: 98 5.9 seats: I spy the first set in your ZJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 Yep, got it reversed... Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Yep, got it reversed... Rob It's ok, your only human. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbrand Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 No idea on your wandering issue, but I have to tell you, that is a very slick-looking GC. I almost never see them in that red - is it a repaint, or just a rare factory color? :drool: :drool: :drool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 No idea on your wandering issue, but I have to tell you, that is a very slick-looking GC. I almost never see them in that red - is it a repaint, or just a rare factory color? :drool: :drool: :drool: not particularly rare, its paint code PR4 - Flame Red, and its one of my favorite colors: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbrand Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 not particularly rare, its paint code PR4 - Flame Red, and its one of my favorite colors: I've seen it on XJ's, but I suppose most of the GC's I've seen have the gray cladding. Was body-colored cladding an option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted April 9, 2011 Author Share Posted April 9, 2011 not particularly rare, its paint code PR4 - Flame Red, and its one of my favorite colors: I've seen it on XJ's, but I suppose most of the GC's I've seen have the gray cladding. Was body-colored cladding an option? Mine is a limited, so will the normally grey body moldings are painted body color from factory. Some pics: At the time, I wanted a late model XJ, but couldn't find one in my price range. Grands of the same year ('97-'98) seemed to be $1K cheaper, in similar trim. I wanted the 4.0L as it was an engine I knew, and wanted a limited so I could have the colored trim. Then I found this thing, and the rest is history. Little more problematic than an XJ (3rd front axle, 3rd rear axle, but I think that is more my fault than anything). Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Sam Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 not particularly rare, its paint code PR4 - Flame Red, and its one of my favorite colors: I've seen it on XJ's, but I suppose most of the GC's I've seen have the gray cladding. Was body-colored cladding an option? Limiteds on both the ZJ, XJ, KJ and WJ line have body colored tupperware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 So. Any progress on the wandering Rob? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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