I was playing in the woods the other day and got stuck. I did not have any recovery points so I used the front axle. The pull was straight from the front. I got it out and washed it off. Now the front shakes all the time, especially over 40 mph. The steering wheel is no longer straight and has a lot of play. I went to my mechanic to get an alinement but he said it might not be the alinement, it might be the steering box. Ideas???

 

BTW... I'm in the market for a winch bumper so this does not happen again.

 

did you wrap it around the axle only, or around the axle and tie rod or any other components?

 

Hope you didn't bend the trackbar in the process of getting your rig un-stuck.

 

I made sure it was just the axle.

 

But the cable or strap may have come in contact with other front end components that you did not see at the time of your extraction.

 

try looking under it and see if anything is bent or just does not look right.

 

Unfortunately I was sitting in the drivers seat when it was being pulled out. I'll take another look underneath and see if I notice any other damage.

 

take a pic and post it

 

i have been pulled/winched out by my axle 2 times...not my favorite spot but its solid as long as you arnt Snatching.

http://www.custom4x4fabrication.com/front_xj.html Super nice winch bumper.

 

I don't have a camera but I just looked and there does not seem to be any damage to the other front end components. I hope I just need an alinement.

I'm looking at the Warrior winch bumper. I like the design and the price is not to bad. I've found it powder coated and with D-ring for $544

 

I have that bumper, it is a nice bumper, but it totally kills the approach angle. I would go with a PhotoFab bumper if i were to do it again,...

 

it depends on your lift and the angle of the strap... but you probably (if your not lifted to high) came in contact with your track bar or maybe passenger left tie rod, it might have pulled up on one or more... bending or distorting ! check play in all your tie rods, including trac bar bushings, take a large pry bar and look for play.... dont waste money on an alignment.

 

I agree with BlueXJ. You either bent your tierod or trac bar in the process of the pull. Even if you just wrapped the cable around the axle it is still pretty much impossible to pull your Jeep from the front axle without putting pressure on the tierod or trac bar in a bad angle.