73’ Darty Condition-gonna Lose My Mind.

Hi everyone,
1973 CJ5
258i 4.2
Manual steering
31” tires
2” lift (I think)

Ive been battling steering… all original steering components except the springs. I did the usual as far as dissecting each individual symptom I felt.

here’s what I’ve replaced to date:
*tie rod and drag link with new rod ends.
*new intermediate steering shaft
*new manual steering gear box
* new steering column bushings
* new leaf spring shackle bushings
* new ball joints -upper and lower.

the jeep has 3/16” tow in
2.5 degrees of positive caster

after each replacement I drove it around and each time I could feel each symptom either improve or disappear…… except ONE!!

currently it’s darty….. over about 40mph it’ll wander either left or right then upon correction it’ll dart the other way… pretty unstable…… anyone battle this?…. I’m bout ready to lose my mind.

 

I’d start here. 5°-6° is ideal with these with radial tires. Also, 3/16” tow is a hair much.

BTW, first post! Welcome to the forum!

 

It was close to straight up on tow…. I may try 1/8”….. I also noticed some slip in the leaf pack when turning wheel left and right….

I’m more than 1/2 way home, might as well keep going.

next step is 5 degree caster plates!

 

X2 on the caster plates. They will transform the Jeep.

 

there is a steering box brace in aftermarket . I would try

 

Don’t forget tire pressure. Probably want 22- 27 lbs for road.

 

UPDATE:

so I had the caster plates put on…. Made a world of difference this is what the mechanic found:

existing caster 2.0
Néw caster 4.5
Shocks we waaaay too stiff… suggested generic KYB shocks.
Also found the RF tire had a HUGE flat spot.

I replaced the shocks…. Now a much nicer ride.
Replaced tire… improved the dartyness but not gone…..now it softly pulls right and darts left.

think I’m gonna rig up a camera to film the front end while I drive

 

If you could add those together you might solve the rest of the dartyness.

 

How are the locating dowels on the spring pads? I have seen these allow the axles to move. Easy to miss.