I bought a 95 a week or so ago and the front end is scary to drive. Its very difficult to explain, but the car really goes where it wants to go.

I had it reinspected and they didn't find anything wrong. Toe, caster and camber are all in spec and there is no loosness to tie rod ends or other components that we could find.

I took it back to the lot where I bought it and they replaced the track bar and steering damper. But it's just as bad and maybe a little worse because now it pulls to the left and the steering wheel is cocked to the right.

So before it goes back to them again, does anyone have any ideas? It's driving me crazy and it really wears you out chasing it all over the road.

 

Is your stabilizer ok or does does it maybe need replaced. And as for the alignment, I would tell the lot you want it realigned after they changed that.
They should have done that anyway in my opinion.

 

also some more info as to what tires your running and any other mods like lifts. these make a difference. if all your frontend parts are good, then I suspect toe in could be wrong. I have the same issue with mine right now. I put larger tires on and a lift. I have not had it in the alignment shop yet as I need to replace a lower control arm. (its bent) but I adjusted my toe in myself with a homemade setup and it improved the steering 10 fold. Its not perfect but huge improvement. Castor can play a part too but mostly I believe it good tires and enough toe in Of course to much toe in and tire wear will be the next problem.

 

Caster and toe are adjusted within spec. Everything is stock. No lift or oversized tires or any mods from stock.

The thing is just plain scary to drive on the highway. It walks all over the place like it's drunk. After driving it for 45 minutes, you are totally exhausted from chasing it all over the road.

I had the state police come to the station that inspected the vehical and the inspector and police officer (who is part of the vehical safety enforcment division) can not determine the problem.

They drove it and both agree something is not right, but we can not figure out what the offending part is. Everything is tight and with in state inspection guide lines.

I'm at a loss and was hoping to get some feed back here before getting the steering box replaced. I'm not sure that will help, but I don't know what else to look for at this point.

 

where woulkd you adjust the toe. I have a similar issue but it isnt bad but it's getting worse.

 

steering box.

 

check your toe in/out by measuring in between your front tires,it is adjusted by the tie rods. caster/camber is adjusted by the cam bolts on the lower control arms.....or take it to an alignment shop. bear in mind probably the biggest culprit of bumpsteer is the drag link and track bar not being parallel

 

It may also be going shocks. Wander and Weave is a big time complaint of bad shocks/struts.

 

Thanks for the info... I now have 3 mechanics scratching their heads.. my Jeep is a 2004 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4... I have had the steering box replaced and the condition improved but did not correct the problem... my mechanic describes it as a "floating" movement... always to the right but only when I remove my foot from the gas... it feels to me like it pulls to the right, then when you press the gas again, it straightens back out... I have been fighting this for over a year... I will be glad for any help you can give me.

 

I once knew a chick that had a loose front end, my advise is to get rid of her cause they are more trouble than they are worth.

It really sounds like a caster problem to me, that is after you are certain everything is tight. Dont forget about the control arm bushings. Is it full time 4x4?

 

mine does the exact same thing.

i've been contemplating changing the steering box because it's cheap, but i really don't think it's that.

looking under the car though i think the rear shocks are shot and i'll probably look into that first.

 

Going from what you said, they cannot do an alignment if there is a defective steering component. Assuming that, I would check the steering box for excessive play or loose mounting / steering components to the wheels.

 

Back to the original poster, I do alginments every day. There Is NO WAY the toe is in spec if the steering wheel is off center. Total toe may be in spec, but if they did the alg check "the right way" the toe should be way neg on one side, and way positive on the other, thats what throws the steering wheel off center.

Did they give u a print out of the specs u can post here?

 

I had a caliper hanging up and it was very similar but i'm assuming your mechanics checked that? How are your CA/track bar/sway bar bushings?

 

Check the rear track bar for loose bolts or worn bushings. My 95ZJ had one loose rear track bar bolt and it made the steering feel goofy as hell. Also take a real good look at the control arm bushings, they're kind of hard to see, but it can be done with a flashlight.