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Steering Issues/ Flaming River

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Miami66, Jun 8, 2020.

  1. Jun 8, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
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    Feb 19, 2020
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    Ahhh....The Money pit continues especially for a Newbie that can”t do it himself. . I am getting closer but no cigar yet. My mechanic took it for a drive today. When he hit close to 45 mph he had trouble steering.It is a 73 with a Flaming River tilt. He feels it might be missing a bracket plus the small steering wheel might add to it. So far: rebuilt engine,tranny,new gauges,tires, mirrors , light switches, rear lights, vintage steps, battery and new shocks. Thoughts? Thanks in advance

    Carlos
     

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    Last edited: Jun 8, 2020
  2. Jun 8, 2020
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    ball joints ,tie rods, caster angle. was it wobbly or just wandery?
     
  3. Jun 8, 2020
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    45 mph is good with these tyres = no need to drive faster :rofl:
    It is easy to control the steering system ...then you have shock absorbers to check or change but your Jeep is high on wheels so it adds problems.
    Specialists in the forum will tell you.:bananatool:
     
  4. Jun 8, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
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    ”wandery” Hard to control
     
  5. Jun 8, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Caster makes a big difference for these Jeeps. Is your picture on the hoist or standing alone? Likely too much lift to track right without added caster. Lower is better. I'd start with factory-length shackles.

    [​IMG]

    Also, everything that you can do yourself will lower your cost of ownership. Owning an old car will be costly if you can't do your own work. There's no better way to learn than to roll up your sleeves and go at it. Free support here ...
     
  6. Jun 8, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    As Tim says, the front shackles look long and near vertical and guessing you have no caster with that set up. Shortening the shackles will help some, but guessing those lift springs aren't allowing the front spring eye to get in front of the shackle pivot mount on the frame for proper shackle angle. You can get lift springs that work, but the yours look like they are too short a spring with the added arch. My jeep was the same when I got it. Shorter shackles was a cost effective initial improvement, but eventually it got nice new BDS lift springs and I added caster shims.
     
  7. Jun 8, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
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    Thanks Tim. I appreciate your support. Standing alone. I believe the lift was 3 and got dropped to 2. I will forward this to my mechanic.

    Carlos
     
  8. Jun 8, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
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    Thanks James. I’ll forward this to my mechanic. Appreciate the help.

    Carlos
     
  9. Jun 9, 2020
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

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    mcruff here makes excellent shims.
     
  10. Jun 9, 2020
    melvinm

    melvinm Member

    Arvada Co. 80003
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    I had the same problem on My 1974 CJ5 I installed 6 Degree shims that helped A lot.
    It still wanders some . I would also go back to the stock length shackles .
     
  11. Jun 10, 2020
    Mountain Goat

    Mountain Goat New Member

    Rocklin, ca
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    I agree with the above post check the caster and try to change that shackle angle. I had wondering issues on my CJ and also have a Flaming river set up. Does the wheel have play in it? mine did and it ended up being the small universal joint that is connecting the steering column to the shaft, if your steering doesn't have play then u may have another issue.

    If you haven't already done so have someone move the wheel back and forth and look at all the components, such as the steering box shackle bushings and tire rods. I have isolated a lot of steering problems in the past using this method and it's saved me a lot of money and time.
     
  12. Jun 13, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
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    Thanks all. I will forward them on. Sorry for the late reply.

    Carlos
     
  13. Jun 14, 2020
    RATTYFLATTY

    RATTYFLATTY I think you need a little more throttle

    Central MN
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    Also take a good look at the Tulip joint at the steering box, they can cause you grief. Unless you got the the complete kit not just the column.
     
  14. Jun 14, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
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    Thanks. Will do.
     
  15. Jun 17, 2020
    VonBergmann

    VonBergmann New Member

    Camarillo, CA
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    While I am certainly no expert, this may be useful to you. My "72 has new Rocky Road YJ suspension, new tires and a new steering box. All of those things certainly helped, but the biggest improvement came when I changed the front shackles to a set from M.O.R.E. The previous shackles, while new, were 4.5" center to center and the wall thickness was, well, pretty thin. The new shackles are 3.5" and are made with 3/8" steel and have a beefy center brace. After that I had a proper alignment performed. Toe in was way off, but caster was within a half degree.

    What I also know, in Jeep steering and all things in life, is that everything effects everything. And steering and stopping a 48 year old truck is not something to skimp on in my book. Hope this all helps in some way.
     
    Miami66 likes this.
  16. Jun 17, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
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    Thanks for the Feedback
     
    VonBergmann likes this.
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