My steering wheel is off by 1 to 3% after off-roading

[TroyBoy]

Has anyone ever had there steering wheel go off center after offroading? I looked underneath and the only thing that I hit was my front differential while rock crawling. Think hitting my diff changed the camber??? I'm off about 1 to 3% on my steering wheel.

I do have a 2.5" Rock Krawler lift with Metalcloak control arms. After the lift, My steering wheel had to be adjusted and I had it perfect. Now its off.

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[Shenanigans]

Either something was loosened or bent. Check your drag link again for any scars and check all the fasteners on it. It is the most vulnerable steering component as it hangs the lowest.

 

[TroyBoy]

Here are the only areas I hit:

Tie rod looks perfectly straight. There are no marks on the drag link. Also, nothing is loose.

 

[intentsrig]

After wheeling it’s common for the steering wheel to be off center. Just straighten it using the clamp on the draglink.

 

[TroyBoy]

After wheeling it’s common for the steering wheel to be off center. Just straighten it using the clamp on the draglink.

Okay, thanks. I’ve. Ever had this happen to me before.

 

[intentsrig]

Okay, thanks. I’ve. Ever had this happen to me before.

Yeah it’s hit and miss. Sometimes I can go on 4 wheeling trips and never have an issue and then boom! Steering wheel off.

 

[vavaroutsos]

Has anyone ever had there steering wheel go off center after offroading? I looked underneath and the only thing that I hit was my front differential while rock crawling. Think hitting my diff changed the camber??? I'm off about 1 to 3% on my steering wheel.

I do have a 2.5" Rock Krawler lift with Metalcloak control arms. After the lift, My steering wheel had to be adjusted and I had it perfect. Now its off.

Check your track bar bracket welds as well. Make sure it hasn't started to come loose and move from the original position.

 

[Shenanigans]

When you look at the issues, the steering wheel was fine, then the steering wheel was subjected to lots of force, and now it isn’t straight anymore, it’s not a simple just straighten it out with adjustment. You need to know where the problem is. Steering is kind of a big deal. Do us all a favor and inspect every inch of it. Especially with a new vehicle that has been lifted, it’s very likely something was loose prior to wheeling which caused the issue, but you need to find out what it is.

It is very easy to knock a ifs out of alignment, not so much with our setups. On my jeeps, I’ve built them and setup the steering and suspension myself. I n ow how it was put together and knew everything was torqued every time before it went out on the trail. I’ve wheeled Jeeps hard for years and the only steering issues I’ve encountered have been from damage. Never once was the wheel off when something wasn’t damaged.

 

[TroyBoy]

Check your track bar bracket welds as well. Make sure it hasn't started to come loose and move from the original position.

I have the Rusty’s front track bar mounting bracket and its very beefy.

 

[TroyBoy]

When you look at the issues, the steering wheel was fine, then the steering wheel was subjected to lots of force, and now it isn’t straight anymore, it’s not a simple just straighten it out with adjustment. You need to know where the problem is. Steering is kind of a big deal. Do us all a favor and inspect every inch of it. Especially with a new vehicle that has been lifted, it’s very likely something was loose prior to wheeling which caused the issue, but you need to find out what it is.

It is very easy to knock a ifs out of alignment, not so much with our setups. On my jeeps, I’ve built them and setup the steering and suspension myself. I n ow how it was put together and knew everything was torqued every time before it went out on the trail. I’ve wheeled Jeeps hard for years and the only steering issues I’ve encountered have been from damage. Never once was the wheel off when something wasn’t damaged.

Yeah it’s weird. I installed the lift myself and I know it’s torqued correctly. I did a quick check and everything is still tight but will do a more thorough check this weekend.

 

[TroyBoy]

This is probably nothing but how much space should be between here: (this is the drag link right by my passenger tire)

 

[vavaroutsos]

This is probably nothing but how much space should be between here: (this is the drag link right by my passenger tire)

I just looked at mine and the space is similar.

 

[jasmeetbabra]

Hi
I noticed the same after experiencing my JL pulling to the right when driving above 40mph.

While my drag link and tie rods aren't as loose as in the @nh4x4jeep 's video, but they do have some play. Thread - https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/drag-link-loose.23537/page-3#post-1229131

Here's a clip. You can see I have to put in a bit of effort here.. What would be the solutions here?

Video-




Thanks!

 

[Mikepa]

Same thing just happened to me. Went out with some seasoned club members, hitting the more challenging trails. Lots of larger rocks noticeably forcing steering wheel from my grip.

Got back to staging area five hours later with front wheels straight and steering wheel pointing to 12:30ish. Everything seems tight. Just adjusted drag link back to straight. Will keep an eye on it.

 

[BHo]

Same thing just happened to me. Went out with some seasoned club members, hitting the more challenging trails. Lots of larger rocks noticeably forcing steering wheel from my grip.

Got back to staging area five hours later with front wheels straight and steering wheel pointing to 12:30ish. Everything seems tight. Just adjusted drag link back to straight. Will keep an eye on it.

Any traction on the issue? My draglink needs readjustment after lockers used in 4WD LOW.

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