Truck shifts when I steer

[E4Marty]

Aside from the fact that I have nearly 1/8th of turn of the wheel before I get response from the tires. I noticed that when I turn the wheel, before the tires turn, the truck itself shifts the opposite direction.

Clearly some steering component, what is typically replaced/worn out soonest?

[Jeepman]

Sounds like your track bar is Done...

The Track Bar is what keeps your Axle centered under the Jeep...

 

Get that fixed ASAP or you could be in real trouble..

[E4Marty]

Track bar? Now there's a part I've somehow never heard of. Or is that same thing as a sway/stabilizer bar?

 

What is the hydraulic piston thing for? I've never seen something like that on a vehicle.

[Jeep Driver]

No Marty it's not the sway bar.

 

Poke around a bit more and you'll figure it out, somewhere here is a schematic of the suspension and steering.

 

Like the other guy said, fix it soon.

[mpace6a]

 

:thumbsup:

[E4Marty]

Is this just a matter of bushings or must the whole bar be replaced?

[Jeep Driver]

The whole bar.

[E4Marty]

Would a used one off a Cherokee suffice?

[Geonovast]

Should. It would probably be in better condition than yours, but you should replace it with a new one down the road.

 

You might also want to look into adjustables that can be set at the stock length... that way, you'd have a replaceable TRE, and you wouldn't have to replace the whole bar if it wears out.

 

When you pull yours off, also carefully inspect the mounting flange on the axle itself. The hole may have begun to elongate.

[E4Marty]

What makes this bar so important? I've yet to have a vehicle with a track bar until this jeep

[Geonovast]

It's to prevent the axle from flying out the side when you turn.

 

Independent suspension and most vehicles with front leaf springs do not use them.

[E4Marty]

Alrighty then, I'll get on fixing that track bar.

I noted too that much of the free play in the wheel, doesn't move the steering components at all. I tried tightening the steering gear box some but it bottomed out with no change so I backed it off some. Would a new gear box solve this? The mechanic says the steering components aren't worn out much at all.

Also I should note that my left tire rubs when turned completely left

[Eagle]

Would a used one off a Cherokee suffice?

I would never install a used track bar. It's just not worth it.

[Geonovast]

Alrighty then, I'll get on fixing that track bar.

I noted too that much of the free play in the wheel, doesn't move the steering components at all. I tried tightening the steering gear box some but it bottomed out with no change so I backed it off some. Would a new gear box solve this? The mechanic says the steering components aren't worn out much at all.

Also I should note that my left tire rubs when turned completely left

 

Sounds like that's all being caused by the track bar. Leave the steering alone until you get a good track bar in there.

[Jeep Driver]

Dude you can get a cheap one for like $40 or a Moog for about $70-80 IIRC.

 

This is not even worth the conversation........just do it.

[Jeep Driver]

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... ASAMS_____

 

Rockauto has them cheaper.

 

 

Just an example.......plug in your year and model.......round $100 locally.

 

 

Advanced Auto.........P20 is 20% off and over $75 is free shipping to your door.

 

As I said round about $80

[E4Marty]

Can this bad track bar, cause the death wobble I'm trying to learn more about?

[Rymanrph]

A bad track bar could cause all kinds of problems including death if you keep driving your truck. Its pretty obvious that this is your first priority. Fix it and then you can address any other issues you may have. Its hard to diagnose multiple issues if you haven't fixed the components your know are bad.

[E4Marty]

Well, i replaced the track bar and the truck is still shifting some when i turn.

[E4Marty]

The truck's side to side play hasn't gotten any better. Even with the new track bar, there is movement between the frame mount and the actual track bar. Is there supposed to be that play in the pivot?

[mvusse]

Not supposed to be any play. The most common track bar problem is the hole in the frame bracket being wallowed out. New track bar will not fix this. New bracket will.

 

Problem is, I don't know if the bracket is available outside of a junk yard, and getting one from a junk yard may not be any better than what you have now.

[E4Marty]

Maybe I bought a bad track bar, since the play is the track bar shifting around the joint itself. The other mount did not appear wallowed out at all.

[mvusse]

I'm willing to bet the problem is the hole in the frame side bracket being wallowed out and nothing's wrong with your new track bar. Despite what it looks like to the naked eye.

 

The pin in the tie rod end of the track bar is supposed to be able to pivot. If it slides sideways, though, causing the track bar to shift it would be about to come apart and fall off.