Georgia Trail Riders Forum
MEMBERS DISCUSSION AREA => General Discussion => Topic started by: The_Dealer on November 22, 2012, 12:40:54 PM
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Hey guys, not sure if this is the right section or not. I have a stock 00 tj with 150k miles. On my trip yesterday to sc, I noticed my front end has some sway. Its not body roll. The best way to describe it, is it feels like the wind comming off of an 18 wheeler. The front kinda moves back in forth all over the road. The steering is tight tho. I had a helper move the steering wheel back and forth while I looked. The?tre's are tight, but the axle.moves back and forth about 1/2". So is it safe to say my trac bar is worn? Any ideas on what to check? Its a task just to keep it in my own lane. All the steering feels tight tho. I'm stumped
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Check all the bushings control arms included
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And ball joints. Something structural is bad.
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ball joints are good, can't really tell on the ca's. They look good and pass the "shake" test. Don't really have the tools with me to pull them off and really inspect them. Basicallu it wonders all over the road. They front end sways left and right. Not a roll or anything, just takes a lot of steering inspection
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crawl under your jeep and have somebody push it side to side and watch the joints on the CA's.
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They move side to side ever so slightly., what should I exactly be looking for? Also I'm getting a clunk feeling from the wheel when I move it side to side checking for play. No clunk noise tho
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Maybe jack that wheel up and see if moves around.
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That sounds like it could be a bad wheel bearing. If you jack it up and it has a lot of play then you might want to pull the wheel off and check it out, cause it could be serious stuff going on there.
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I just checked, wheel bearings and bj's seem good. I'm meeting matt Sunday, maybe he can help figure out what's wrong. On a good note, it doesn't seem to be worsening,so hopefully I can make it back home. I would nt really say it feels dangerous to drive, just kinda nerve wrecking and tiring. For a while I thought it was just some crosswinds blowing
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Did you check your drag link? Again get someone to push the jeep side to side and make sure it's not moving around on either end.
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Only.thing I really noticed was the axle moving side to side. It looked like the tracbar had play on the frame end. The rear has no movement at all. I'll check.more in the morning when its warmer and light out
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Yep, I meant trac bar not drag link lol. If there is slop in the joint you will feel it in your axle.
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Ok, so I took my calipers off and checkes the bearings. When a helper pushes on the front of the jeep, it looks as the only thing moving is the tires. I'm about to go buy a pressure guage as I think the tire pressure is kinda low. I also measured for toe, from the like spots on the tire. I have 1/2" of toe in. As in the rear of.the tire is farther then the front. Tire pressure is 31
Could it be the alignment
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Well, we know the axle movement is the problem. It should not move at all so I'm willing to bet that either one or more of your CAs are the source of your woes. Your controle arms are what keep it in place so if the bushings are wallered out or if they are bent or twisted, they are not going to be able to function as they should. Allignment or toe agnle wouldnt necessarally cause this issue, instead would more cause un even tire ware, and / or obviously a constent pull to either side rather than a jerkiness as you discribed.
When you can get the tools, definately take some time to remove the CAs and inspect the bushings for both upper and lower.
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Well looking at it this morning when I get a helper to push the side of thl jeep, the axle doesnt move. It only shifts a little bit when its parked and someone turns the wheel. But I can't really tell if its just the tires letting the whole jeep move. My stepdad will be bacl tonight to unlock the shop so I can check it out. I'll try to post a video of what's going on
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Just run it by a reputable shop and have them diagnose it. Can u get it to Allsouth?
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I'm actually in sc right now. I'm meeting matt Sunday to trade tops. Maybe he can help me out. I don't know much about jeeps
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I'm actually in sc right now. I'm meeting matt Sunday to trade tops. Maybe he can help me out. I don't know much about jeeps
If your ever near the Buford, Ga area, swing by and I will take a look at it for you.
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I'll be going through there tomorroe lol. Anyways heres what I found. Id post pics here but its a pita on this phone. So here's my jf post http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/normal-1441716/
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Its going to be either a TRE, control arm bushing or track bar related.
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Track bar is probably loose we can check it tomorrow.
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I agree with the track bar. My old set up did that from time to time. Bolt was loose and you could turn the wheel and watch the axle shift left and right some. Just a little play is all it takes.
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The only part of a 5 link suspension that centers the axle under the Jeep is the Trac Bar. Tighten the lower bolt (I believe it is a Torx bit) This should fix your problem.
Also jack up the tire (one at a time) Put a big pry bar under the tire and lift up - if the tire moves up and down with the prying movement then get someone to look at the upper & lower ball joints while you pry. You will be able to tell if one has play. This is much easier than taking your front end apart. Or bring it to Allsouth = Free diagnostic = no tools needed </LMAO/>
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Well my 350 mile drive showed me that the toe was the culprit. I was able to maintain my lane, and it was even windy as heck. I am going to replace all the bushings, then new f&r track bars when I lift her
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I agree with the track bar. My old set up did that from time to time. Bolt was loose and you could turn the wheel and watch the axle shift left and right some. Just a little play is all it takes.
No way u can tell now with that rear setup
//SPYDER//