Handling issues here too!

[Micky K]

I bought a second hand 07 JKU Rubicon. It came with 35's on 17 inch AEV beadlockers, a Rubicon Express 3.5 inch lift and I'm told self balancing beads in the tyres as opposed to the little external weights on the wheels.
I have since had a new Synergy drag link with steering flip mounting, all the control arm bushes (front and rear) replaced with the exception of the two front upper ones on the diff tabs (I'm told they were ok), new rear track bar and height correction bracket, new rancho steering dampner, and new geometry (castor) correction brackets for the front control arms. I wanted a new track bar with a height correction bracket however my experts couldn't fit this as aparantly my original bracket has had some sort of fabrication which wouldn't allow the fitting of a new bracket over the top of it or something to that effect.
The above seems to have arrested the death wobble however my JKU has the worst steering I have ever encountered and as yet I haven't found a fix for.
The steering wheel seems to have 2 or 3 default positions. If I go over a speed bump or other uneven road surface the steering wheel turns to the left as the front wheels drop into the hole. I often find myself holding the steering wheel in different positions to go straight. I also find that if I put my foot down, The car points itself slightly to the left as it is under power especially as I let the clutch out in the lower gears. Additionally If the car is standing still and I turn the wheels right, as I do so the front of the car rises upwards and falls again as I turn it back to the left. Not to mention the intermittant flash of the ESP light during a left bend / turn. So depending upon if I am under acceleration or backing off, turning left or right, going over a bump or in a hole, or depending on the camber of the road, the steering wheel is sitting different for each of the above. It can be quite un-nerving during a sweeping bend when I hit a bump or accelerate or if any of the conditions change and I have to readjust the position of the steering wheel even though the arc of the bend hasn't changed. Its a good thing I love this car so much 'cause on the road, it handles like a waterbed.
Would appreciate any thoughts / suggestions you guys have or is this just normal for a lifted JKU?

[NTRubicon]

Might have a drag link, tie rod, steering dampener issue, but that shifting to the left on acceleration sounds like a trackbar issue (hard to say if its front or rear, but it would be related to the shift in weight on the vehicle under accel/decel).

Sounds unnerving alright

[Johnboy]

Definitely not normal!! Go through this list and check each item
http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30723
Also the drag link and track rod should be roughly parallel and horizontal or strange handling can occur also if the drag link is at a steep angle as the suspension compresses it will steer the vehicle without steering input same with track bars front and rear if they are too steep an angle they will push the body around as the suspension cycles up and down causing the heap to feel twitchy and not in control. if the rear has been corrected and the front hasn't the roll centres of the axles are different also causing funky handling. I run 3.5 lift high steer and track rod brackets front and rear and mine drives nicely. a large pot hole or similar will still cause a bit of bump steer but nothing to make you pucker up. Also the steer box can get flogged out and cause a vagueness which can add to your driving terror.
Hope this has helped, when ever something starts to feel a bit off on my heap i go back to the list and i generally find a balljoint or some thing worn.
Replace and happy days again

Johnboy

[Johnboy]

Also if it steers like shit after all bushes have been replaced get the castor checked as it will make a massive difference to how it drives from rock solid to wandering all over the joint.

[Percy28]

You have a draglink flip, but as your trackbar is still in standard position, you will get bump steer. Draglink and trackbar need to be somewhat parallel. This will certainly be contributing significantly if it is not the problem by itself.

[Micky K]

Thanks guys. I wish my "Jeep suspension experts" had advised me that I shouldn't do the steering flip and rear track bar bracket unless we could also do the front trackbar high mount bracket. It just confirms to me that the only Jeep experts are to be found here on Ausjeepoffroad. Ive attached a photobucket link with 6 pics if you would care to have a look and offer any further advice.
Thanks.
http://s578.photobucket.com/user/cap...tml?sort=3&o=5

[Percy28]

Bit hard to tell from the pictures but what's the reason for the steering stabiliser flip not being able to taken off? The put this on? http://www.doubleblackoffroad.com/je...ront-RHD.aspx#