2005 Jeep Wrangler steering issue

[t1snwrbrdr12]

Your current alignment doesn’t include a caster measurement. When diagnosing the pull, it’d help to know. Caster usually causes problems with wheel returning to center, wandering on the highway…but if extreme enough it could cause issues. I have a caster issue in my work van that I’m not willing to tinker with as it involves shifting the subframe and many things are connected to it, but it causes some issues with driving even at slow parking lot speeds where you’d typically only see caster bother you on the highway. It would’ve taken the tech 2 more minutes to click measure caster and do a quick caster sweep when the jeep was on the rack.

 

[meep]

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

Right? I’m trying to remember geometry but it’s 9pm and I have to sketch these things to see the angles. If the Pittman arm isnt centered as it comes out of the steering box, then it may have to work harder to move the wheels one way than the other. But… I can’t imagine it being installed non-centered because it would be painfully obvious as the steering bar would have to be big-adjusted to compensate.

Other idea - improper springs in the shuttle valve, e.g., faulty steering box?

 

[meep]

Really, it probably needs to go somewhere where one shop can understand both the box and the alignment. The alignment shop saw a problem which would cause a pull having nothing to do with the steering rack. I wonder if a spring came out of its seat???

 

[Chris142]

Your current alignment doesn’t include a caster measurement. When diagnosing the pull, it’d help to know. Caster usually causes problems with wheel returning to center, wandering on the highway…but if extreme enough it could cause issues. I have a caster issue in my work van that I’m not willing to tinker with as it involves shifting the subframe and many things are connected to it, but it causes some issues with driving even at slow parking lot speeds where you’d typically only see caster bother you on the highway. It would’ve taken the tech 2 more minutes to click measure caster and do a quick caster sweep when the jeep was on the rack.

Caster can cause a pull but is not adjustable on his jeep.

 

[mcrn]

Ok....thank you all!! So interesting thing after reading some comments.....I swear it is a heavier turn to the left than the right and wants to return to center stronger when turning to the left vs the right.

The pull to the right is definitely more noticeable going down the highway. Ride is smooth.

I am taking it back to the shop with the printed alignment. This is a shop with a good reputation, and they specialize in Jeeps. If they can not fix anything my next step will be to go to a shop that does both aligments and boxes.

 

[t1snwrbrdr12]

Caster can cause a pull but is not adjustable on his jeep.

If you get adjustable lower arms it is.

 

[D60]

My experience with solid axles (because caster is not adjustable individually per side) is that it likely won't cause a pull. Too little is like driving on ice and too much might create heavy steering.

Sure, we can concoct a scenario where maybe caster causes a pull here, but I think that's losing sight. Caster would not have been affected by unbolting a steering box from the framerail, and OP reports it was fine before

 

[97prizm]

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?

I've never worked on a steering box but is there an adjustment of sorts?

 

[D60]

I've never worked on a steering box but is there an adjustment of sorts?

Not really for left/right assist.

You can tighten the worm gear to theoretically reduce slop at center, although this should be done with care and there's almost no chance this would help OP given his symptoms

 

[meep]

Hmm

IS THE FRONT AXLE CENTERED?

Remember how the steering box mounts to one frame rail, and I think the locating bar as well? Remember the complaints about how the aftermarket cross-braces between the two frame rails at the steering box help mitigate some steering play?

I’m wondering if the axle somehow worked sideways during the box swap.

 

[mcrn]

So I just finally was able to get the Jeep back to the shop that installed the box....They found no issues with the box and their work. They took it across the street to a Tire Plus.....they somehow adjusted the Caster. I picked the Jeep up from the shop not Tires Plus......The Jeep tracks straight and the steering

 

[mcrn]

I still do not know how they adjusted the caster on the factory set up

 

[D60]

I still do not know how they adjusted the caster on the factory set up

I think there were provisions for control arm eccentrics (ie the tabs that capture an eccentric nut)? They just didn't come from the factory and you might have to do a very slight mod like enlarge or drill a hole

Or perhaps aftermarket "plates" which he's adamant are not cam bolts:

 

[mcrn]

I think there were provisions for control arm eccentrics (ie the tabs that capture an eccentric nut)? They just didn't come from the factory and you might have to do a very slight mod like enlarge or drill a hole

Or perhaps aftermarket "plates" which he's adamant are not cam bolts:

Thank you so much!

 

[D60]

Thank you so much!

There should be evidence of something at either end(s) of the control arms. Climb under there and check it out!

 

[mcrn]

There should be evidence of something at either end(s) of the control arms. Climb under there and check it out!

LOL that is exactly what I was going to do......been busy with a dumpster at the house cleaning stuff out.

 

[mcrn]

Your current alignment doesn’t include a caster measurement. When diagnosing the pull, it’d help to know. Caster usually causes problems with wheel returning to center, wandering on the highway…but if extreme enough it could cause issues. I have a caster issue in my work van that I’m not willing to tinker with as it involves shifting the subframe and many things are connected to it, but it causes some issues with driving even at slow parking lot speeds where you’d typically only see caster bother you on the highway. It would’ve taken the tech 2 more minutes to click measure caster and do a quick caster sweep when the jeep was on the rack.

So Im sorry to respond so late but took it to a different place for an alignment and they adjusted the caster....All is good now!