My TJ's front end, -OR- behold the bumpsteering wanderer!

[TurboMinivan]

By popular demand, here are some photos of my front end setup.











I recently learned the bushings connecting my my upper control arms to the axle are shot (which means the equally-old bushings at the rear of the control arms are probably also in need of replacement). If I'm sitting still and I barely rock forward or backward, the front axle seems to rock or pivot on the lower control arm bushings. (Does that make sense?) I discovered this by having a co-worker look underneath while I gently rocked back and forth in the parking lot.

Now that I think about it, I'm sure I ought to go through the entire suspension on this rig and look for items in need of general maintenance. I almost never drive this thing, which means I almost never even think about it.
</shame>

 

[Agility Customs]

When you are doing your control arms I would lengthen the lower control arms a 1/4"-3/8" or so. It will hurt your pinion angle but it should drive considerably better with added caster as well. Also shortening your uppers would accomplish the same thing so whatever is easiest.

Get everything tightened up and then address the possible track bar angle issue, I like to make up a quick CAD drawing with the pivot points of the track bar and drag link plugged in with there travel radius and adjust the mounting holes as necessary.

You could also do that with some graph paper, a ruler and a drafting compass. The general rule of thumb is you want the track bar and drag link dead parallel to avoid bump steer BUT if they are not exactly the same length you dont necessarily want them parallel (this where the added math comes in) It also comes down to if you want it perfect or you just want it good enough.

 

[Gravy]

Boxing the upper pass mount and the lowers will help as well.
Those offset TREs are notorious for wearing out quickly since they flop around. I'd most definitely add a solid TRE spacer on the drag link.

 

[I Lean]

All those things, and a pitman arm with a bit less drop. (if your math-ing per @Agility Customs says you need it)

 

[Agility Customs]

All those things, and a pitman arm with a bit less drop. (if your math-ing per @Agility Customs says you need it)

Or just move the tie rod end to the top side of the pitman arm...

 

[TurboMinivan]

Or just move the tie rod end to the top side of the pitman arm...

Say, there's an idea that never occurred to me. Hmm.

 

[Agility Customs]

Say, there's an idea that never occurred to me. Hmm.

That would be cheap/easy and see if it improves before moving forward with anything else.

 

[I Lean]

It will also be worth looking at the rear suspension....that can make it wander as well. I noticed a marked reduction in twichiness when I triangulated the rear end on my TJ.

 

[Hickey]

It will also be worth looking at the rear suspension....that can make it wander as well. I noticed a marked reduction in twichiness when I triangulated the rear end on my TJ.

Yeah ditch that rear tracky bar and get geometrical!

 

[TurboMinivan]

I noticed a marked reduction in twichiness when I triangulated the rear end on my TJ.

Yeah ditch that rear tracky bar and get geometrical!

Already done.