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Steering Issues / not returning to center

FWIW - I lost count how many times I have read/seen/heard this same issue about not returning to center and it ended up being a ball joint issue. Happened to me on my '76 CJ7 as well as my '81 Scrambler. Replaced "new" ball joints and the problem went away.
 
Yeah,,, the whole word "New" is over rated. Although in defense of Spicer ball joints, it could have been they were installed incorrectly. I am taking notes on all that the wise owls have to say, but I dont want to be THAT GUY who calls the veterinarian while he has my horse and tell him what the other horse owners think it is. It could speed up the process or it could piss him off. I will give it another day then I will check in,, dont even know if he has attacked it.
 
DREAMKRUSHER said:
Jammer1, JohnN, Scott, Spankrjs, McCree, Thank you guys on your advice, I have yet to get a phone call of my jeep is fixed, or even the diagnosis. I will pass on all of possible solutions/causes to TCG if he can not figure what it is. I will also lat you guys know what it was if we do get it fixed. P.S how do I get out of the basic user status.
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Well, a paid membership is one way. It has several benefits, too. This forum is privately supported, notice the lack of ads and crap you see on other places.
 
Ok,,, showing off my computer/forum ignorance and cheapness all at once. I had no idea, I will now be looking into stepping it up the next level in membership, (it wont make me smarter, but sometimes that doesn't matter). Thank you
 
Ok Gents, the problem has been solved, for the most part. The camber was at 6 degrees with shims, it is now at 14 without shims, so Scott I have seen the difference in return to center, he had me drive without the steering stabilizer on it, and he also changed out my brand new rugger ridge HD drag link and tie rods with stock, the jeep was returning to center, he showed me the tie rod ball joints were super stiff and could not be spun by putting a small allen wrench thru the cotter pin hole. i could only break it free with vise grips,,then it would spin,,let it sit and it would lock back up. i have since flushed out the general purpose grease with synthetic,, so we will see if that helps. All of my stuff (new) was reinstalled and the steering is better, but not like it was when the steering stabilizer was off, the ball joints and steering stabilizer may be slowing the return to center. My question is now, how dangerous is it to daily drive a jeep without steering stabilizer around on freeways/streets?
 
I drove mine every day without a steering stabilizer with 41's and never had an issue. You can find this argument on a couple of threads on here. I also never ran a sta-bar..just took it off and scrapped it when i did the springover lift. I know there are all kinds of opinions...but these are mine..lol
 
The guys at Rugged Ridge were very helpful and told me to check back with them in a month to see if the ball joints at the ends of the tie rod and drag link are able to pivot without a break point, because if they do not rotate easily, they ensured me the new ones they send me (free) will be in working order prior to sending them. Which is nice of them. As far as the steering stabilizer I may try that. Hey Scott, when you have time PM me,, i have questions regarding your current set up on your Scrambler, I have another Scrambler I am in the process of engine swap/axles etc. thanks
 
DREAMKRUSHER said:
Ok Gents, the problem has been solved, for the most part. The camber was at 6 degrees with shims, it is now at 14 without shims, so Scott I have seen the difference in return to center, he had me drive without the steering stabilizer on it, and he also changed out my brand new rugger ridge HD drag link and tie rods with stock, the jeep was returning to center, he showed me the tie rod ball joints were super stiff and could not be spun by putting a small allen wrench thru the cotter pin hole. i could only break it free with vise grips,,then it would spin,,let it sit and it would lock back up. i have since flushed out the general purpose grease with synthetic,, so we will see if that helps. All of my stuff (new) was reinstalled and the steering is better, but not like it was when the steering stabilizer was off, the ball joints and steering stabilizer may be slowing the return to center. My question is now, how dangerous is it to daily drive a jeep without steering stabilizer around on freeways/streets?
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I'm confused, isn't the Castor angle supposed to be 5-7 degrees?
 
5-7 for stock. Should increase as tires get bigger (I think). Don't think it changes much at 32, but needs bigger at 35+


 
Yes that is the norm , from what all Jeep "experts" have said about my issue was "check you castor angle, it should be around 6 degrees, and with the 6 degree shims, it was measured by 4 Wheel parts and two other jeep specialty shops, it was 6.2 degrees to be exact, with my jeep it wasn't enough to send the steering wheel back to center. Now that it has more of an angle, it returns. I have learned that my situation was a combo of several things (not just one thing). This is all after I replaced all things on front end new, had frame and axle inspected, it was a combo of things, in the end, my boy will have his Scrambler and the entire front end is all new.
 
interesting. I'm waiting on install of an H1 steering box, my steering still sucks and i've replaced everything and 3 boxes....
 
I had several issues with my son's Scrambler, the return to center issue was the stumper, that I or experts could not solve until this last week. Now it is time to add the roll cage (this week) and paint job next month. Then onto my Scrambler, which is a huge project.
 
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