Hi and thank you all. So I have a 2005 Jeep Wrangler LJ. The stock steering box was leaking so I had it replaced with a PSC steering box. This is supposed to be the best steering box available. The 2005 stock was a ZF box. I had the box replaced and the pitman arm at the same time. Got an alignment done immediately after. Alignment shop said it was going to pull to the right now matter what based on how it was just sitting on their plates. It has never been in an accident. Steering wheel is centered. It does pull to the right. The steering now is so tight and heavy. The stock steering was loose and very light. With the stock box driving it was easy. It tracked straight. Now the steering is much busier and pulls to the right. Any advice on why so heavy and busy? And pulling to the right now? Vs being such a straight driver with the old box?
2005 Jeep Wrangler steering issue
- Thread starter mcrn
- Start date
It sounds as if you have a steering box problem or something went wrong during the installation of the new steering box and pitman arm.
If it tracked straight before the repair, and a well done alignment can’t fix it after, it stands to reason that the parts or installation is where the problem lies.
If it tracked straight before the repair, and a well done alignment can’t fix it after, it stands to reason that the parts or installation is where the problem lies.
Steering boxes do not cause pulls. They can make the wheel “appear” off center. In fact the type of suspension on your jeep it will not even effect toe. Toe adjustment is the large bar that connects the inner and outer tie rods. The the drag link connects the pitman arm to the RH knuckle. That will adjust the steering wheel “center” point.
Camber, caster and tires (including tire pressure) will cause pulls.
Camber, caster and tires (including tire pressure) will cause pulls.
I checked tire pressure on all 4. Adjusted them all equal myself. They were all close to begin with.
I know nothing about the steering box on his Jeep specifically, and I'm sure you're right about most boxes in general, but your statement is not universally true. Those of us who play with old Mopars know that there is an adjustment on the PS gear that can most certainly cause a pull if not set correctly.
Curious. I wonder what EXACTLY made them think it was sitting weird? A box replacement should not affect anything that would show on plates.
I also wonder if they just didn't know what was going on and made an excuse to kick it out the door.
Tires certainly can cause a pull. Swap both right to the left and see if the pull reverses. Easy troubleshooting. But heavy steering is not normal, either.
I put a BlueTop and new Cardone pump in my neighbor's 2000 TJ. He called me the next day to say he loved it. He had gotten so used to the old ailing pump (there was zero assist at a idle) he had forgotten how good it could be.
I had to vacuum bleed the system to get the last little whine out of it. You can do this easily with a cheap Mityvac and reservoir adapter. But I'm not convinced a simple vacuum bleed will address all or any of your symptoms here.
I chose BlueTop 'cause Redhead is junk these days. No experience with PSC personally.
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So the place that did the box and the place that did the alignment are 2 different places. Driving with the old box in it was straight and easy to steer. After box installed it pulled to the right. Drove to the alignment shop immediately after getting the box done. So same tires on the same location as it was initially driving with no pull before box and pitman arm was replaced. Got to the alignment shop and told them what had happened and they then said they will not be able to get the pull out to the right as it was showing that on the plates. Going in the morning to get a print out of the alignment. I called them today to get it and it was not saved in the system. So they are putting it back on the rack and printing it for me.
It’s not just an off center steering wheel trying to center itself (making it feel like it’s going right)?
You only have total toe adjustment and steering center adjustment. You cannot adjust left and right side toe individually.
You could have caster issues but that usually only noticeable at highway speeds and would only be an issue if wrecked or lifted. I can’t remember but I don’t think any tj’s had eccentrics in the lca bolts. If caster is an issue they sell plenty of adjustable lca’s.
You only have total toe adjustment and steering center adjustment. You cannot adjust left and right side toe individually.
You could have caster issues but that usually only noticeable at highway speeds and would only be an issue if wrecked or lifted. I can’t remember but I don’t think any tj’s had eccentrics in the lca bolts. If caster is an issue they sell plenty of adjustable lca’s.
Were joints at the pitman over-tightened?
The power steering control valve is on the steering shaft side of the box - I assumed it was replaced with the box, and could have different spring rates which would increase or decrease steering assist.
Could there be air in the PS system? The whole thing had to open up to change it. Check the fluid level. Is it making noise?
The power steering control valve is on the steering shaft side of the box - I assumed it was replaced with the box, and could have different spring rates which would increase or decrease steering assist.
Could there be air in the PS system? The whole thing had to open up to change it. Check the fluid level. Is it making noise?
Could it be a dropped or the wrong pitman arm for the application?
Steering Wheel is centered.
The over tightening was a concern of mine as well as the air. As I understand it and please correct me if I am wrong.....if there is air in the system it will work itself out. Now there is a little noise in the steering....However it does not increase with full lock in either direction.
How would you overtighten a TRE (to the point it would cause bind)?
Nothing in the alignment screams at me, but I'm not an expert there.
The gas charged stabs can supposedly cause a pull because they're pushing your tie rod one direction. Some report this is noticeable, others say they don't notice a thing.
Air canNOT always work itself out. I couldn't tell you why exactly but there's a million variables in each system.
Nothing in the alignment screams at me, but I'm not an expert there.
The gas charged stabs can supposedly cause a pull because they're pushing your tie rod one direction. Some report this is noticeable, others say they don't notice a thing.
Air canNOT always work itself out. I couldn't tell you why exactly but there's a million variables in each system.
When your wheel is centered the pitman arm should essentially run the length of the vehicle. If it thinks you're trying to turn the shuttle valve opens in one direction to provide assist that way.
Do you have the same number of turns lock to lock from center? Should be around three?
I don't know if it's possible to install the box already a full turn in one direction (I've never screwed up this badly). If so, this would leave the valve open in that direction fo sho
Do you have the same number of turns lock to lock from center? Should be around three?
I don't know if it's possible to install the box already a full turn in one direction (I've never screwed up this badly). If so, this would leave the valve open in that direction fo sho
