Need help with wandering issues

[JPXR]

I installed a Clayton 3.5” overland plus kit with currectlync steering system and falcon 2.2 adjustable steering stabilizer. I have been battling wondering on the freeway. I put in more caster to see if that helps. Not feeling like it did much.

My jeep is ‘22 jlu Willy’s XR. I was shocked but I gained 3.5” over the stock xr setup.

I’ve gone through the Jeep 4 times now making adjustments. It’s been at an alignment shop after the initial install. My Jeep wonders on the road when on the freeway. It’s almost like I have to steer more right and left to keep it straight.

My caster is at 6 on driver and 6.3 passenger (both upper/lower control arms are the exact same length). Drag link and track bar are both stock locations.

1) One thing i am shocked by. I pulled my drag link to double check what the length is. I’m at 42-7/8” vs the instructions saying I should be at 40-7/8”. What is everyone else’s experience?

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[Roky]

I installed a Clayton 3.5” overland plus kit with currectlync steering system and falcon 2.2 adjustable steering stabilizer. I have been battling wondering on the freeway. I put in more caster to see if that helps. Not feeling like it did much.

My jeep is ‘22 jlu Willy’s XR. I was shocked but I gained 3.5” over the stock xr setup.

I’ve gone through the Jeep 4 times now making adjustments. It’s been at an alignment shop after the initial install. My Jeep wonders on the road when on the freeway. It’s almost like I have to steer more right and left to keep it straight.

My caster is at 6 on driver and 6.3 passenger (both upper/lower control arms are the exact same length). Drag link and track bar are both stock locations.

1) One thing i am shocked by. I pulled my drag link to double check what the length is. I’m at 42-7/8” vs the instructions saying I should be at 40-7/8”. What is everyone else’s experience?

If you’re at nearly 5” of lift, you’re gonna need to increase your caster to high 6s or 7 degrees, 6 ain’t gonna cut it if you’re that high…..

 

[Willys41]

A sector shaft brace will make a big difference. I did with my jeep
It will stop the steering box from flexing on the frame
Here is a video showing the flexing



One note
use red loctite on the two bolts the hold the bearing housing in place
The will loosen up over time

 

[Willys41]

Also check tire pressure
Depending on the tire size you may want to start a 30 psi

 

[Philly_]

Make sure your track bar bolts are tight! I had some wandering issues immediately after lifting and this solved most of it.

I also added the steersmarts track bar and sector shaft brace and that was a huge improvement, but wasn’t mandatory after tightening my track bar down. It really solidified the front end and gave the steering a tight, almost heavy, feel if that makes sense.

My Jeep has pretty low caster (like 4.5) but I don’t mind it. Feels like a Jeep to me, and handles nearly identical to stock. I can let go of the wheel on the highway at 70-75mph and it’ll track perfectly straight. Crosswinds on the other hand, are a constant battle. I’m planning on adding an adjustable steering stabilizer in the future to help with this.

If the jeep handles fine on back roads and city streets, an adjustable stabilizer could be a decent band-aid for highway use. Tighten things up for the highway and loosen them up when you’re running around town to mitigate the potentially increased wear from the stiffer stabilizer.

Other than that, just make sure everything is tight and keep playing with angles.

 

[JPXR]

A quick update, I went through the whole lift and steering again. I did find my tie rod lock nut was loose. Corrected it.

Still had issues

Ended up getting annoyed and went ahead and swapped my new tires/wheels. Everything was resolved. My ko2’s with 13k miles were the problem I was chasing. Not sure if they are salvageable but my new tires are great. Drove a few times on the freeway and offroading and all seems good.

 

[Willys41]

Regardless which tires / steering / wheels / ball joints / you have you will always have the steering gear box flexing on the frame
Synergy has a new and updated sector shaft brace that will solve this issue and they solved the issues that they had with there previous version

 

[JPXR]

I’ll check the brace out. Definitely always concerned with the stability at freeway speeds because I tow a popup regularly.

 

[58Willys]

Regardless which tires / steering / wheels / ball joints / you have you will always have the steering gear box flexing on the frame
Synergy has a new and updated sector shaft brace that will solve this issue and they solved the issues that they had with there previous version

I’m looking at getting one of the new Synergy sector shaft braces. Which bearing did you go with? I believe the only difference is the non sealed one requires a squirt of grease every now and then - correct?

 

[Suffolklou]

A quick update, I went through the whole lift and steering again. I did find my tie rod lock nut was loose. Corrected it.

Still had issues

Ended up getting annoyed and went ahead and swapped my new tires/wheels. Everything was resolved. My ko2’s with 13k miles were the problem I was chasing. Not sure if they are salvageable but my new tires are great. Drove a few times on the freeway and offroading and all seems good.

Its great that you solved it, Even better that you shared your solution. Thanks for that.

I have had a wandering issue forever. I have the sector shaft brace that Willys41 is talking about. I dont think it helps much. I also have the cast iron steering box.

I do have KO2's. they are getting close to replacement, I think I will try something else. What did you end up going to?

 

[Suffolklou]

I’m looking at getting one of the new Synergy sector shaft braces. Which bearing did you go with? I believe the only difference is the non sealed one requires a squirt of grease every now and then - correct?

I had the non sealed one, and have swapped it for the roller bearing one. I think it is better. The grease seemed to never get all they way around the other one.

 

[Willys41]

Let me explain the difference between the new Synergy sector shaft braces and the older one
The older one the bearing housing was held in place with two bolts and no mater how much loctite you put on the threads they would loosen up
The new version is through bolted with one long bolt and will not loosen up
I have the steer smart on both my jeep and they also where held in with two bolts and would always come loos
About 6 months ago I took my steer smart apart and drilled a 5/6 hole completely though the bearing housing so mine is now through bolted and no more loosing up
On another note
I just ordered PSC big bore hydro asst for my Willys
Synergy make a lager sector shaft nut to fit there brace
Steer smart dose not at this time put I was told that they should have one in about a month or so
I think right now Synergy has the better brace with the through bolt and sealed bearing

 

[58Willys]

I had the non sealed one, and have swapped it for the roller bearing one. I think it is better. The grease seemed to never get all they way around the other one.

Good info, thanks!

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