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crooked steering wheel... need help!

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Old 10-01-2008 | 01:44 AM
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Year: 1988
Model: Wagoneer
Engine: 4.0
Default crooked steering wheel... need help!

just got back from some wheelin and I hit a large rock straight on with my front passenger wheel pretty hard while driving straight...

after it happened my steering wheel was about 45 degrees off but it still drives pretty straight on the highway... almost no pulling at all, I took a look under and nothing seems to be bent except the sway bar link is almost touching the spring on the passenger side... where as on the drivers side there is about an inch of space in between.

Im not sure if i bent something(nothing seems bent) or just knocked the alignment out? anyone? I can get a good pic of the front end tommorow when its light out if that would be of help?

Thanks guys

btw its a 88 wagoneer with 4.5 inch lift(no blocks), lockers front and back, re heavy duty track bar, etc etc

Last edited by moby; 10-01-2008 at 02:59 AM.
Old 10-01-2008 | 07:33 AM
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From: In yourz postez fissin jurr spelinzs
Year: 1990XJ/1989MJ
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0L Renix
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Must need an alinement. The draglink adjusts the cant of the steering wheel when an alinement causes it to be turned.
I would get the front end alined and mention the wheel to the shop.
Old 10-01-2008 | 11:19 AM
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even with the swaybar link on 1 side so much closer to the spring than on the drivers side? I was almost sure i bent something but couldnt see anything bent at all under there!
Old 10-01-2008 | 03:25 PM
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The swaybar links not being equal means you have a lift and a stock trackbar. thus the front axle has shifted to the side. An adjustable trackbar will surely cure that and then loosen the adjuster sleeve on the draglink and adjust your stering wheel to the center and you will be good to go.
Old 10-01-2008 | 04:44 PM
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I have an rubicon express track bar... Im going into an alignment shop today hopefully they can fix this.... it doesnt bother me much cause she still drives straight im more worried about ruining my tires! Ill keep ya posted and hopefully its just an alignment needed and nothing bent!
Old 10-01-2008 | 09:54 PM
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right sway bar bracket was bent back, a little banging and an alignment corrected the problem!
Old 10-01-2008 | 11:48 PM
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Originally Posted by moby
right sway bar bracket was bent back, a little banging and an alignment corrected the problem!
Glad to hear it Moby. Just be careful on those trails.
Old 10-02-2008 | 04:14 AM
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Originally Posted by BlueXJ
Glad to hear it Moby. Just be careful on those trails.
I try, but i bought the truck to take a beating, repairs are only normal... a bit of banging is even better!! having fun is priority!! this truck is tough as bricks though! I love it!
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