My jeeps uncontrollable

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

JeepKJ04

New Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Messages
28
Reaction score
1
Location
St. Louis Missouri
So I was driving my 04 Liberty around town and went over a curb, 5 or so mins later it started to feel kind of weird like the wheel that went over the curb (the back left) was shaking or something so I pulled over to inspect it and it looked and felt fine so I tried to just get it home ( which is 10-15 mins away) and at first it would only feel weird at about 30-35 mph but by the time I was on my street I couldn’t go over 15 mph or the steering would be uncontrollable and all over the road. Does anyone know what’s wrong? My dad thinks it could be a bent wheel or something with the axle.

Edit: thanks so much too everyone who gave me suggestions and tips on what it could be I really appreciate it.
 
Last edited:

lfhoward

Well-Known Member
KJ Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2012
Messages
2,242
Reaction score
2,425
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Check the lower control arms that connect the axle to the body frame rails. The lower control arms tend to rust out and you may be able to get free ones from Jeep if they are under a recall.
Check the upper control arm too. The upper control arm looks like a boomerang and has a ball joint that could have popped out of its socket on the body.
Also look at the rubber bushings in all of the above. If they disintegrated, you would have all sorts of sideways play that you don’t want.
 

JeepKJ04

New Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Messages
28
Reaction score
1
Location
St. Louis Missouri
Check the lower control arms that connect the axle to the body frame rails. The lower control arms tend to rust out and you may be able to get free ones from Jeep if they are under a recall.
Check the upper control arm too. The upper control arm looks like a boomerang and has a ball joint that could have popped out of its socket on the body.
Also look at the rubber bushings in all of the above. If they disintegrated, you would have all sorts of sideways play that you don’t want.
So I checked it and the left lower control arm looks fine because sides some minor surface rust, glad I checked though because the right on is connected to the frame rail by a tiny piece of rusted metal lol, the upper control arm and ball joint look fine, the bushings look pretty bad though.
 

Attachments

  • D550E1D0-8C45-42A6-A136-C992AE2A8C16.jpeg
    D550E1D0-8C45-42A6-A136-C992AE2A8C16.jpeg
    301.9 KB · Views: 36

duderz7

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2016
Messages
1,410
Reaction score
1,134
Location
Weiser, ID
That picture is the bottom out bumper, wouldn't make jeep handle poorly no matter how crusty it might be. You have 2 lower control arms on the rear just forward and below that spring with a bushing on each end, check those and the arm itself. Also the rear upper control arm looks like a large boomerang with the center mounted to the top of the axle. From what you're describing I would suspect something in the front suspension. Lower ball joints are usually the offending item, lots of YouTube videos on how to check ball joints.
 

JeepKJ04

New Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Messages
28
Reaction score
1
Location
St. Louis Missouri
That picture is the bottom out bumper, wouldn't make jeep handle poorly no matter how crusty it might be. You have 2 lower control arms on the rear just forward and below that spring with a bushing on each end, check those and the arm itself. Also the rear upper control arm looks like a large boomerang with the center mounted to the top of the axle. From what you're describing I would suspect something in the front suspension. Lower ball joints are usually the offending item, lots of YouTube videos on how to check ball joints.
I’ve already ready checked the back upper and lower control arms and they’re all good, I’ll check the bushings Tomorrow
 

JMichael2006

Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2021
Messages
35
Reaction score
43
If you have a full size spare, swap it out with the tire that hit the curb. Does it drive the same or ?? If it clears up, it is the wheel/tire. If it doesn't clear up and the control arms are good, jack up the rear on stands and see if the axle ****** is bent. if not that, Are you sure the control arms and mounts are really good?
 

profdlp

Counting My Blessings
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
May 21, 2013
Messages
5,817
Reaction score
1,766
Location
Westlake, Ohio
Your issue sounds like my experience right after my lift. In my case, I knew what it needed was an alignment and had that scheduled for the minute the lift was done. Could your bump have knocked you way out of alignment?

I was glad not to have been sipping beer during the lift - I was weaving around like a drunkard all the way to the alignment place.
 
Last edited:

JeepKJ04

New Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Messages
28
Reaction score
1
Location
St. Louis Missouri
Your issue sounds like my experience right after my lift. In my case, I knew what it needed was an alignment and had that scheduled for the minute the lift was done. Could your bump have knocked you way out of alignment?

I was glad not to have been sipping beer during the lifty - I was weaving around like a drunkard all the way to the alignment place.
That’s what I think it is, I think I just hit the curb, powered over it and then knocked it way out of alignment because everything else looks pretty solid
 

JeepKJ04

New Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Messages
28
Reaction score
1
Location
St. Louis Missouri
Your issue sounds like my experience right after my lift. In my case, I knew what it needed was an alignment and had that scheduled for the minute the lift was done. Could your bump have knocked you way out of alignment?

I was glad not to have been sipping beer during the lifty - I was weaving around like a drunkard all the way to the alignment place.
 

JeepKJ04

New Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Messages
28
Reaction score
1
Location
St. Louis Missouri
If you have a full size spare, swap it out with the tire that hit the curb. Does it drive the same or ?? If it clears up, it is the wheel/tire. If it doesn't clear up and the control arms are good, jack up the rear on stands and see if the axle ****** is bent. if not that, Are you sure the control arms and mounts are really good?
I might try that but the spare is pretty dry rotted(it’s probably 10 or so years old) I think I may have just knocked it out of alignment though, one of the rear control arms is SUPER corroded so I think I’m gonna take it to the shop and see about an alignment then take it to the dealership because there’s a recall for those control arms.
 

JohnDC

New Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2012
Messages
10
Reaction score
3
Location
Huntersville, NC
My experience with our 2007 Libby is that the rear suspension is wonky. I have replaced the upper control arm twice, due to the infamous "death wobble". Also I had the lower control arms replaced under the recall. While you are at it, get the trailer hitch installed, it is free due to recall also. ;
 

JeepKJ04

New Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Messages
28
Reaction score
1
Location
St. Louis Missouri
My experience with our 2007 Libby is that the rear suspension is wonky. I have replaced the upper control arm twice, due to the infamous "death wobble". Also I had the lower control arms replaced under the recall. While you are at it, get the trailer hitch installed, it is free due to recall also. ;
I’m doing the lower control arms recall but I already have a pretty good hitch from u haul
 

eldredg

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2021
Messages
11
Reaction score
8
I’m doing the lower control arms recall but I already have a pretty good hitch from u haul
I had a Curt hitch on my 2007 KJ. Dealer said it didn't meet their standards. Check the recall and maybe get another free hitch. Sell the one on there.
 

tommudd

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 14, 2005
Messages
22,456
Reaction score
3,642
Location
Southeastern Ohio
Many things can happen if you drive over a curb or anything like that
Bent wheel
busted bead, tire separation
knock cradle off from where it should sit / out of alignment
Buddy slid into a curb years ago, never could get a good alignment
finally my shop found the cradle had been shifted when he hit the curb 5 years earlier , we pulled it back into place and no more issues
 

Latest posts

Members online

Top