Pulling Left and Right

[jgermann]

I noticed the other day that when I am accelerating my jeep starts to pull slightly to the left and when I let off the gas it pulls back right. It doesn't throw me off the road but it is pretty noticable. Anyone have any ideas why its doing that? I never noticed it before.

[Jim_Lou]

Several things can cause it; different size tires, different amounts of wear on the tires, different inflation pressure - all made more noticeable with a locker. Loose U-bolts, loose shackle bolts, mis-aligned axle with any number of possible causes, even steering linkage problems.

The mis-aligned back axle is probably the most likely culprit. Have someone follow you down a straight road and see if the Jeep is running a little sideways. Park on a smooth, flat surface and make a mark at all four tires. Then move the Jeep and measure between the marks diagonally and front to back. There should be very little difference.

[Caver Dave]

Commonly called "torque steer"...

Since you didn't mention tire size or lockers:

My junk (open at both ends then) did it BAD when I first drove it on the road after the 5 month build/assy. Appeared to be a combination of things, so here's all that was done...

- reset the toe-in & double checked steering linkages (no change, other than steered better)
- readjusted the drums... found 1 of the front drums was dragging/too tight (slight change)
- found OEM Warn Lock-O-Matic on the same side as the dragging brake was always locked, regardless of selector position (slight change)
- replaced tires (*old* set of WSO BFG MTs)... also attributed to MASSIVE death wobble between 25-40mph (VERY noticeable difference!)

[LEVE]

Does the problem seem to be steering connected? Do you feel it in the steering? If so, I'd be looking at the steering box bolts and the frame area where it's connected.

If it seems like the Jeep's being pushed left on acceleration, then I'd look at the axle alignment.

I'd also look at motor and transmission/transfer case mounts.

[jgermann]

Thanks for all of the suggestions... I will start messing with it this evening. It does not ahve a locker. The tires are all pretty new and don't have a noticable wear difference. They have about 6,000 miles on them. I looked at the steering box and had someone turn the wheel it has minimal play in it. I will definately check the axles and u-bolts tonight too.

Thanks....I'll let you know what I find.

[RRich]

By your symptoms -- Quite possibly it's the alignment. The "Thrust Angle" is off. Essentially that's the parallelism of the axles.

When you drive normally everything's fine.
Decelerate - let off the gas pedal - it'll drift one way.
Accelerate it'll drift the other way.

If it only pulls on braking that's usually something else, something's loose, or the brakes themselves have a problem.
Front wheel drive vehicles are famous for that kind of pull. 4 wheelers aren't.

An alignment shop can check it IF they do a 4 wheel alignment on it. Often they don't.

A wheel alignment shop that has a 4 WAY ALIGNMENT machine - attachments on ALL 4 wheels AT THE SAME TIME AND MEASURE BETWEEN THEM - can measure it far more accurately. Some just do one end at a time - they'll miss the problem. You usually have to go to a good tire shop or wheel alignment specialist. Discount stores often have the machine, but have no idea how to use it. RUN, DON'T WALK FROM THEM.

But you can do a not so critical but effective check yourself.
First look at it from the front and rear - are the front and rear tires sticking out the sides equally? They have to be close.

Then go underneath. Use a long stick or pole - measure the axle distance front to rear on both sides. They should be equal. If they are not equal, the axles cannot be parallel.

Next - the same measurement only this time measure as an "X" between front to rear axles - that's more difficult but more accurate. Be sure to measure from the axle tubes themselves at the same distance side for side.

Usually it's not a big deal to correct it - TJ's its corrected by adjusting the track bar and control arms. The track bar gets them in line front to rear (sticking out the sides equally.)
The control arms adjust them so they are parallel. Yes, the lower control arms can be adjusted. Get offset Lower Control Arm cam bolts at the dealer.

Leaf springs is more complicated, it's usually caused by a bent spring or even the frame is bent a little. A bent spring has to be replaced - in pairs, a bent frame can easily be pulled straight again by a frame shop.

[jgermann]

I got under the jeep and had someone turn the wheel to find any loose components in the steering and the pitman arm has a small bit a play in it and the steering box showed a slight bit of movement too. I forgot to tell my wife to check it out from behind when she was following me in town. I also checked the u-bolts on the axles and they are tight. When I get a chance to tighten everything back up I will update to let you know if it is fixed.
Thanks again.

[Rio_Grande]

Tj pitman arms often loosen up. I had to make a spacer for mine to "Fix it" It is much better now.

[jgermann]

I have a yj, but I put a new pitman arm on with the lift. I got under it last night and greased everything I could, tightened up the nut on the pitman arm. It turned a lot more than I thought it would. And I did get 2 bolts on the steering box to tighen up a little more. It definately took some of the play out of the steering wheel and I didn't notice any pulling on my way to town last night. It was only driven a few miles so I will pay attention to see if it does it again.

[OlllllllOCJ]

Originally Posted by jgermann

I noticed the other day that when I am accelerating my jeep starts to pull slightly to the left and when I let off the gas it pulls back right. It doesn't throw me off the road but it is pretty noticable. Anyone have any ideas why its doing that? I never noticed it before.

First what is your Jeep?

While the answers are all over the place... It is reasonable if folks don't know what type suspension is under your Jeep.

Lockers, lift kits and/or after market parts often make for some really ugly torque steer.

I'm no help with the newer coil spring Jeeps. Leaf springs and lockers create torque steer by chewing up the shackle bushings every time you drive your Jeep, it's just a maintenance item and you get used to it.

Soooooo...... Fill out your darn profile (or send me a link if you have already). BTW... It looked like JimLou and myself were the only ones that tried to look at your profile.

Never mind I'll go back and hide.


Dale