thejim42 Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 My 88 is bone stock 2wd no lift and is riding on 235/75r 15s. My steeringis extremely sensitive. The is almost no play but it is so "touchy" that it is kinda scary on the highway to drive. This is my dd and I'm on the interstate quite abit. Anyone ever had this issue and know how to fix it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88ComancheMitch Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Never saw anyone complain about this. Unless its a dangerous issue, such as death wobble or something.... I'd say get used to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 I wish my steering was that tight.... And it's scary with a lil bit of slop and I dd on the hwy all the time.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldseddie Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Maybe toed out a little. Toe in makes it stable and toe out makes it wander down the road. Checked the alignment lately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejim42 Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 Had an alignment done a couple months ago when I put my new tires on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 When the new tires were installed, did they set the pressure to MAX rather than RECOMMENDED on the door jamb? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 I wonder if he's confusing sensitive with sloppy. If your control arm bushings.....or any other part of the suspension......is worn, your truck will wonder and keeping it straight is a full time job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 I wonder if someone upgraded the steering box to a quicker ratio. I'm not sure how to find out what ratio you have but it's worth a shot . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Check the tire pressures first................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejim42 Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 All 35 psi. My uncle was the original owner so I doubt the steering box was upgraded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejim42 Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 There isnt any play in the steering. It is just extremely "touchy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Drop the pressure to 30 and see how it feels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 If all the above doesn't help disconnect / remove your steering stabilizer. If it's still the original it may be dry and binding and will cause a "touchy" condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejim42 Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 Probably the stabilizer because the truck sat for 12 years before I got to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Probably the stabilizer because the truck sat for 12 years before I got to it No, It's EVERYTHING. Your bushings are bad, I guarantee you that. Track bar too........and I'd look at your rod ends......... The worst thing that anyone can do it let a vehicle sit........and after 12 years worth.........rubber goes to rot. And I'd bet the bushings in the springs are bad too. I'm telling you the truck is wondering and what you consider touchy is you constantly working the keep the truck straight down the road. And for the dampener? yeah, the seals have dried up and it will/does stick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 I'll also mention that grease will solidify over time. Did you flush out all your rod ends? I'd take a look at your ball joints, the upper can be flushed but the lower cannot. Also, flush your front drive shaft. I would imagine all your seals.....main seals.....axle seals.....TC seals.....etc.......are dried and cracked and do or will leak. What about Ujoints? Brake lines??????? You will spend some time and money.....just a fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 I wonder if he's confusing sensitive with sloppy. If your control arm bushings.....or any other part of the suspension......is worn, your truck will wander and keeping it straight is a full time job. Currently the issue with my XJ... the bushings on both ends of my LCA's are shot lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 There isnt any play in the steering. It is just extremely "touchy" It's an '88, which means it is essentially an AMC even if it was built after Chrysler bought AMC. AMC was notorious for over-boosting their power steering. It's characteristic of the breed. I've always been an MC owner (since before they were AMC) so it doesn't surprise me, but it always bothered me. In my Javelins and AMXs I ran quick ratio manual boxes because I couldn't stand the power steering. My early XJs and MJs all have too-light steering and basically no road feel, but I've never felt like spending the money to have a box rebuilt with a stiffer spool valve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejim42 Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 Its a 2wd so no tc or front drive shaft. It has new u joints, yes I flushed out what front suspension parts I could , it has a new motor and I had the tie rods and ball joints all checked out when I had my alignment done and he said everything checked out and I repacked the wheel bearings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 If you are talking about what I think you are, I am with Eagle. A friend of mine in High School had a Dakota that was overboosting the power steering. It was very light feeling and effortless. When I mean effortless, I mean you could grab the wheel and spin it like a prize wheel and it wouldn't stop until it hit lock on either side. I would look into the valving on the power steering box and the pump. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 If you are talking about what I think you are, I am with Eagle. A friend of mine in High School had a Dakota that was overboosting the power steering. It was very light feeling and effortless. When I mean effortless, I mean you could grab the wheel and spin it like a prize wheel and it wouldn't stop until it hit lock on either side. I would look into the valving on the power steering box and the pump. Rob This makes sense, but I'd do a complete PS system flush and fluid change first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejim42 Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 Its got fresh fluid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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