Starbuck75 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Hey guys just got a new comanche a couple weeks ago 89 2wd 4.0 and the steering seems ....odd? It may just need a wheel alignment but it seems to want to wander around and not drive straight ? Iits definitely drive able but just seems to not want to steer normaly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big66440 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Have you had a look at any of the suspension components? when I got my manche that was the first thing I did and lo and behold practically EVERYTHING had to be replaced and you bet it made a night and day difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 A worn track bar can result in a LOT of free play across center of the steering wheel. Worn/sloopy tie rod ends will also result in loose, sloppy steering. My advice is to enlist an assistant, and start checking each moving part. Touch is more sensitive than sight. Park with the wheels straight ahead. First test is the steering box itself. Turn the steering wheel gently back and forth across the center (straight) position while watching the left front tire. There should be almost no movement of the steering wheel before the tire starts to move, and you should feel some resistance against the steering wheel as soon as it gets off center (straight). Now put your helper in the driver's seat. The helper should move the steering wheel back-and-forth across center, NOT actually turning the front tires but stopping just short of when the tread contact patch actually moves on the ground. What this does is load the steering components. What you do is put on a rubber exam-type glove, lie on the ground under the front end, and put your fingers on each moving joint. You want to see and feel if there's any slop or looseness between the tie rod end and the steering arm it attaches to. Also check the tie rod type fitting at the upper end of the track bar, and the bushing connection at the axle end of the track bar. Replace any parts that have slop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 I recently installed the IRO bolt in OTK/Crossover steering and new trac-bar, etc on my XJ. Still have play in the steering and wandering. My suspicion is the steering box is worn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airspeed Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 I had a problem with my MJ, it would always track in a line where you point it but it would not stay on center. It is called "memory steer", you would constantly be correcting the direction of travel. The ball joints were too tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starbuck75 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Thanks for the replies guys! I will roll the truck into the shop when i get a second and go over the front suspension to see if i can find anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starbuck75 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 airspeed what exactly do you mean the ball joints were too tight? Like had resistance inside and were not swiveling properly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64 Cheyenne Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 I had a problem with my MJ, it would always track in a line where you point it but it would not stay on center. It is called "memory steer", you would constantly be correcting the direction of travel. The ball joints were too tight. I have to say I disagree with "The ball joints were too tight." When a vehicle fails to "return to center" I myself would check that it has enough "caster" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airspeed Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Yes, too tight, difficult to turn. When they had the truck up in the air with the tie rod disconnected it was difficult to turn the steering knuckle, had to use a breaker bar to rotate the knuckle. Sears screwed that up twice and the third time they got it right, that's when the tech showed me what memory steer was. Is there caster adjustment on an MJ front end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
64 Cheyenne Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Yup, shims behind lower rear control arm mount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starbuck75 Posted July 22, 2013 Author Share Posted July 22, 2013 So I finally got some time to pull some stuff apart the ball joints seem good knuckle turns easy, I did swap out my steering shock since it seems to have leaked all the fluid out of it, drives a bit more normal now, tho still seems off I'm going to have a wheel alignment done once i get some new tires on I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airspeed Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 What size and brand of tires are on the truck now? Cheap worn tires could make a truck drive real squirrely. I have always had good luck Bridgestone Dueler HT's, the last set I had on there rolled 52k miles. On my street cars I always run Michelin's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now