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unstable driving... all over the place! scarry

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by pauldana, Apr 14, 2009.

  1. uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Stock caster is around 3*, toe in around 3/64 to 3/32.
    I never had to change anything on the 3b with a 2" lift.
     
  2. pauldana

    pauldana pauldana

    3b? sorry, is that a model of Cj? if so mine is a 72 CJ5.

    now we have a discrepancy here... lost again:(
     
  3. uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    The info came out of the FSM for my 1969 Commando.
    The 3b is a 1961 Cj3b. just like it says in my signature.
     
  4. pauldana

    pauldana pauldana


    got it, thanks, sorry.. p:)
     
  5. bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    toe- in....front edge of tires closer together than back edge
    follow the caster range posted before
    in response to your box......if the bolts holding the box are stripped then something will need to be done in order to tighten the box correctly. Look for the cracks all around where the box mounts...top and bottom of frame. Have someone rotate the steering wheel while you watch the box.....hopefully it'll be obvious
    Good luck, Jim S.
     
  6. pauldana

    pauldana pauldana

    Story: Firestone did the alignment the first time, not the usual place I go but the guys at the sports truck shop sent it there after they did a few tack welds for me,,,,, needless to say it was totally F'd up...It is now over at the "Tire Store" and with people I know and trust. They called me with how it was aligned and wheels were going in all different directions.... Caster was at 0, Toe was at~3/4, and Camber was way off......
    Moral of the story: stick to those you trust.

    I will report on the results tomorrow.... THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!

    ps, for those that are having similar problems... get second opinions, even thirds.... good luck
     
  7. lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    If you need shims to bring your caster into spec (I had 1* caster couldn't drive over 30)
    you can get them here:

    http://4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/Shims.shtml

    Or from member Mcruff on this board, our resident machinist :)

    Most shops won't have the shims you need... and be sure to use steel, NEVER aluminum!
    I used a 5* steel shim, targeting 6* total (on the '71 with a '74 D30 swapped in)
    After that the rig tracked straight and true at any speed (road crown notwithstanding ;) )

    Good luck, keep us posted!
     
  8. incynr8

    incynr8 Member

    Mcruff made me beautiful shims. In some locales they are not legal, meaning a shackle lift has to go, or axle work requiring welding, or angular cuts to the perches. Some will argue the last two methods are also safer(est) (rewelding axle)

    I run 4.5deg and I can drive 70mph with one hand (as you should be able to).

    my jeep was as basket case as well last year when I got it, with -1/-2 deg caster.
     
  9. pauldana

    pauldana pauldana

    ok... went and got a real good alignment, and it is a gazillion times better..

    This is what was given to do...
    Toe:.........1/8"to 3/16"
    Camber:......0 to 1/2* positive (shouldn't need adjustment)
    Caster:........7-8* positive


    But the Camber is still off... we had to order some special Shims... and we pulled the steering box out will replace it with a new one I got in yesterday. and there is a small crack in the mettle that goes from left to right frame above or around the box's in/out hoses. currently the camber in 0 for RW and 3/4 for LW.... The alignment shop feels that after camber is set to 0 it will be even better..... I will update in a week or so after the newest work is done.... but currently still a huge difference... thx, p:)
     
  10. bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    Sweet :):beer:....thanks for the update
    Jim S.
     
  11. barely3

    barely3 Spending my retirement

    Is it getting loose when accelerating and decelerating or all the time?
     
  12. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    I believe he got it taken care of..
     
  13. barely3

    barely3 Spending my retirement

    I was having problems and found a rear u-bolt had come loose. Yousa!
     
  14. pauldana

    pauldana pauldana

    Yes, it wants to pull left or right under accelerating and decelerating, but not near as bad as before,,,,


    :flag:
    Mine seem tight..


    UPDATE... changed the power steering box this weekend and also fixed a small crack in the frame above the box and under the radiator. I will have the final alignment done this week as the shims have come in for the Camber... will update with results soon. :flag:
     
  15. 80cj

    80cj Member

    You're not by any chance running a locker or spool with uneven tire pressures or diameters? That could make the Jeep pull to one side or another under acceleration or deceleration. Just a shot in the dark.
     
  16. pauldana

    pauldana pauldana

    ok... this will most likely be my last post on this subject here...

    All is fixed, ended up paying about 350$ in alignment fees... EVERYTHING was out.... got all new shims in and the jeep roles down the hwy at 70 with out a lick of problem.....


    AAHH>>>> ok... maybe this is the last question.....Along the way to getting a proper handling Jeep I was having lots of things done to it in hopes to fix the problem....... One of the things that I had installed was a stabilizer of some sort..... This added stabilizer looks somewhat like a shock, but it is not. it U-Bolts up to the front axle and the other side to the frame. its purpose was stated to keep the jeep body and frame aligned during turning and the like... But I can't believe this doesn't wipes out the tire articulation off road... Is this needed?
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2009
  17. nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    It is a stabilizer in that it reduces the jerking feel of the steering when your tires are rolling down the road.

    It works in a similar fashion to your storm door closer...the door gradually closes rather than slamming shut...the steering is the same principle, the steering won't jerk the wheel out of your hands, or allow for out of control wandering.

    Some people say they aren't worth it and just mask problems.
     
  18. pauldana

    pauldana pauldana

    first... cool avatar.... second, I ALSO have a steering stabilizer... I'm ok with that... what I am talking about is a rod/shaft/thingie... that mounts directly to the frame on one side and the axle on the other side... nothing to do with steering... p:)
     
  19. nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Got a pic?
     
  20. 89diesel

    89diesel Broken!!!...Again

    pauldana-What you're talking about is called a "tracbar" or a "panhard bar". They are generally used on vehicles with coil springs, to keep the axle under the truck. Ford did use it for a while along with leaf springs, but it wasnt the best thing they did.