Quick steering question

So call me an idiot if this is something usuall for jeeps... When I am traveling faster that 35mph my jeep seems to swerve a little side to side and it also seems TO responsive to my actions at the helm... A little move of the steering wheel makes more difference than I would expect... I am curious if a steering stabilizer would help to correct these problems? If so I am also curious how to go about mounting one? Thank you for your help,
Jake

 

Sounds like the toe is not correct------should be toed in, yours sounds like it is toed out.

What year, type of steering, and tires are you running.

 

The jeep is a 74 with as far as I can tell a completely stock steering system aside from the wheel... It is running off brand 31 1050 15 on 15x12 turbo mag wheels.

 

I suggest you go to your favorite tire shop and ask for a suspension alignment. Around here, it's about $50. Tell them you realize they can only set the toe-in on a Jeep, but that you want the printout from the alignment machine. Also have your tires balanced if you have not already. Report back the alignment results.

Do you have the original springs or is a lift kit installed?

There was a service bulletin kit that installed a steering stabilizer for wobble. The stabilizer is not meant to help with wander, and won't help with wander. If the steering wheel shakes slightly at 45-50 mph, you need a stabilizer, although tire balance might fix it too.

 

Can you explain Toe in vs out? And as far as I can tell the suspension is stock but everything I read says that stock cj5 for my year shouldn't fit 31s without a lift of some sort... Is that right?

 

Never mind the toe in va out question google taught me that one. I will try to get the alignment done some time this week and report back with the findings. Thanks for the help.

 

What Timgr said. I'd also like to add that 12" wide wheels are WAY too wide for a 31x10.50 tire and could be contributing to the problem. A 7-8" wide wheel would be more appropriate for that tire size.


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x2 on alignment and wheels too wide. also check all tire pressures

 

i would bet alot of your problem is from the wide wheels. I am suprised there is a shop that would mount a 10.5 wide tire that wide of a rim.

 

Sears has installed some new Alignment testing devices at most of their Autoshops and there is no charge to the customer. When they pull you in to write it up they check every car that comes in the garaage. Takes them about 5 minutes and the computer/graph printout is very detailed. Toe, front/rear and camber front/rear. Has the acceptable range and where yours is for each of these. I saw the equipment about 6 months ago during the initial installs in some mid-wester states. Just had an oil change done on the wifes 2010 Mazda CX-9 and was very impressed. Everything was within spec, so nothing needed. I'll be bringing the 2005 F-150 and the 1973 CJ5 to them for something just to get the alignment checked. Obviosly, they want to sell alighnment services and suspension work or they wouldnt have this equipment, but for the quick, free check, I'm sold.

 

I agree. The wide wheel issue needs to be solved first. It distorts the tires footprint and would be swervy even with the alignment in tollerance.
7-8" wide wheels are what you want