1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Wandering Jeepster

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by jackdog, Jun 9, 2022.

  1. Jun 9, 2022
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    526
    My Jeepster wanders a bit going down the road. Been trying to sell it and it seems to be an issue.
    It's got new u joint and bell joint in the intermediate shaft, new manual steering box, tie rod ends and shackles.
    When moving the wheel back and forth I can't see any noticable play.
    Any ideas?
     
  2. Jun 9, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Check your toe-in.

    Caster shims can help a lot too.
     
    jackdog likes this.
  3. Jun 9, 2022
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    526
    Forgot to mention I had it to the alignment shop for alignment.
     
  4. Jun 9, 2022
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    I'd check caster as well.... fighting some of the same with my 58 (saggy swap). It'll get caster shims when I replace the leaf springs.
     
    jackdog likes this.
  5. Jun 9, 2022
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2011
    Messages:
    5,407
    look real close at steering box . when someone wiggles steering wheel
    just a little movement . can give you that floatee feel going down the road
     
  6. Jun 9, 2022
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Did you get a printout?
     
    jackdog likes this.
  7. Jun 9, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2008
    Messages:
    4,717
    How are the kingpin and wheel bearings?
    Spring bushings...
     
    Ol Fogie and jackdog like this.
  8. Jun 9, 2022
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    526
    No print out. It was an older machine.
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  9. Jun 9, 2022
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    526
    New wheel bearings. The ball joints are tight, maybe a little to tight. When I have it on the lift it's hard to grab hold of the tire and turn the steering lock to lock.
    Spring bushings may be a little worn.
     
    Jw60 likes this.
  10. Jun 9, 2022
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    526
    I'll check it out.
     
  11. Jun 9, 2022
    Robert Wight

    Robert Wight New Member

    Houston, Tx
    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2021
    Messages:
    23
    Curious what you find, my commando wanders at speed also. I've replaced the saginaw box, springs, lower and upper steering shafts, tie rod ends. Ball joints feel good, but haven't changed them yet. Measured my caster and found it at 2.3 deg, I'm going to measure again and consider increasing my caster. My steering wheel doesn't go back to center on it's own, which is why I'm probably going to increase the caster before I replace the ball joints.
     
    dnb71R2, jackdog and FinoCJ like this.
  12. Jun 9, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Your caster should ideally be 6-7 degrees for highway driving. It will probably make your front driveshaft u-joint angles less than ideal but it's been worth the tradeoff on both of my Jeeps.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2022
    jackdog likes this.
  13. Jun 10, 2022
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    526
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2022
    mike starck likes this.
  14. Jun 10, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    I would ask first and then find another shop that has a printer and will provide the printout.
     
    jackdog likes this.
  15. Jun 10, 2022
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    526
  16. Jun 10, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    Do you have the numbers even without a printout? If not we have no starting point. As was mentioned above most Jeeps prefer 5-7 degrees positive caster depending on width and diameter of tires. Wheel offset can make a difference as well. Many factory specs call for 3 degrees positive caster but that simply isn’t enough considering the age and modifications most of these Jeeps see.

    Honestly, I’d find another shop to check it. At work I have a machine that is probably 15-17 years old and it does very nice printouts for the customer. (I also have a new state of the art machine that also prints).
     
    jackdog and Ol Fogie like this.
  17. Jun 11, 2022
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    526
    I'll schedule another alignment and go from there.
     
  18. Jun 12, 2022
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2019
    Messages:
    1,765
    I have had vehicles that wanted to not return to center by it's self after replacing ball joints. There is a particular sequence of installing the ball joint nuts to help prevent them from being too tight.
     
    jackdog likes this.
  19. Jun 16, 2022
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2013
    Messages:
    526
    Bought a magnetic angle meter and put it on top the ball joint and it shows 6-8 degrees. Can there be to much caster?
     
    Tom_Hartz likes this.
  20. Jun 16, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    Yes there can be. Any more than 7* in these Jeeps can cause high speed instability, hard to turn the wheels at slow speeds, and accelerated tire shoulder wear in turns.
     
    jackdog likes this.
New Posts