Steering issues

[WesChapman]

2005 Renegade 4x4, 105k miles Yokohama Geolander tires. Recently replaced springs with HD OME's and Bilstein shocks.

Steering issue was present before changing springs, but worse now. Alignment was performed after spring change.

Issue: The steering wheel jerks over every bump in the road and will pull left or right depending on which side of the road crown I'm on. Heavily grooved roads are all most a two handed white knuckle ride as the steering wants to go every which way. When steering from left to right (like going through an S turn) there is a very slight clunk I feel through the steering wheel, but only when steering from left to right. From a straight line to a right turn to straight line, no clunk. From straight to left turn to straight, no clunk. Steering left to right while braking going downhill, louder clunk that I can hear as well as feel in the steering wheel and I can feel the clunk at my feet through the floorboard.
On smooth roads, the steering feels normal and does not wander or vibrate. Unfortunately only 6 miles of my daily 96 mile commute are on smooth roads. The other 90 are twisty, pot hole filled mountain roads with really bad chip & seal overlay causing large grooves.

 

[yellocoyote]

Sounds to me like maybe you need to have your steering rack looked at/replaced.

 

[tommudd]

Agree with Jayme, rack has bushings in it that can be replaced. That would be my first place to look for the clunk like described. The alignment shop should of caught it while doing the alignment.

 

[WesChapman]

Agree with Jayme, rack has bushings in it that can be replaced.

Would this be the bushings the hold the rack in place?
Is the steering rack something a shade tree mechanic of questionable skill (me) be able to change in the driveway?
I'm seriously contemplating selling my Scout, but I wanted to use the cash for cool Jeep upgrades, not repairs. :mad3:

I think I'll try a different alignment shop as well, for a 2nd opinion on the steering components. Les Schwab Tire seemed freaked out that I had installed after market springs myself and kept saying I would never get completely correct alignment without a camber kit. They kept saying how those items would have been included if I had purchased the products from them. Of all the posts I read here about OME 1.5" lift springs, no one ever mentioned needing any camber kits or problems with alignment.

 

[yellocoyote]

We replaced the rack bushings in mine last spring... it wasn't too difficult to do. I seem to remember TJKJ saying that you'd have to remove at least part of the front axle to fish the entire steering rack out... but I could be wrong.

Looking for the link for you...

 

[yellocoyote]

This one is for replacing steering rack bushings...
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47634

R&R of rack and pinion...
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42379

 

[tommudd]

There is no camber kit and if thats who did your alignment I would really go somewhere else
I use a small mom and pop shop with guys who know how to align the right way, they can all be aligned if not right on then close enough that there will be no pull at all

 

[yellocoyote]

There is no camber kit and if thats who did your alignment I would really go somewhere else
I use a small mom and pop shop with guys who know how to align the right way, they can all be aligned if not right on then close enough that there will be no pull at all

x2

The guy at my local Firestone is good, and can get it back within spec also.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Even the cash only alignment shop net to my tire supplier can figure out a KJ!

 

[WesChapman]

Thanks for the replies.
and thanks for those links Jayme.

If the bushings are bad, will I be able to see movement in the rack if a watch while someone works the steering wheel back & forth?
To check the rack, will I be able to detect slop if I jack up the front and try to move the tires back and forth by hand?

 

[WesChapman]

Finally got around to replacing the steering rack bushings today. Wasn't nearly as bad a job as I thought it would be. I was able to pull the passenger side bushing out with my fingers. The drivers side was a little tighter and i had to whack it a few times. Haven't had a chance to road test yet, but it feels better just turning back and forth in the driveway and doesn't clunk. No parts left over and the wheels turn the same direction as the steering wheel, so I guess I did it right...

The rack seemed tight. Tomorrow will tell.

 

[JamesJ]

Been having a similar problem with my Jeep, not to the extent of yours, but there is a definite issue with the steering pulling me around when I'm not driving on a beautifully paved road. Thought it was the alignment for the longest time until I realized I couldn't pin-point if it was a constant pull to the left or right. How did it fair out on the roads?! Problem solved?