IT never ends..

[Maximus Ram]

OK, so I have been chasing DW on my XJ for over a year, now. We've changed every part on the front end except the draglink. Thats next. It arrived yesterday.
Well, I also ordered up a pair of the nutstrips to mount the hitch I picked up a while back. went and found the 12mm bolts I needed at Lowes and came home thinking I was finally going to get the hitch on the XJ and out of the garage.
well first I found I had to remove the bumper. No problem, 8 bolts and it was off. OK, the strips fit in fine. Hmm, now I need to remove the exhaust hanger. No problem, 2 more bolts.
Went to put the hitch up, problem. I couldn't get it passed the rear spring hanger bolts. OK, back out one bolt. Hitch went up. Hmmm, bolts aren't going in. Look, scratch head, curse...look again. OK, back bolt matches and far front bolt match. Get them in. the other bolts don't want to align. Hmmm..damn, I have to drill. The holes are off about 1/16-1/8th. OK. I'll do it this weekend. Tighten the 4 bolts I could get to fit and go to put the bumper back on...won't go. The strip has a nut that comes just the otherside off the frame and the bumper plate hits them. Dang, need to notch the plates. I'll do that this weekend. Last thing to check is the exhaust hanger....@%#&$ no holes for the bolts through the hitch...so now I need to figure out how to bolt the hanger up...
This was suppose to be one of those ..this is simple projects.
NOT
Man, I have a lot to do this weekend.

IT never ends....
Thanks for listening, I needed to vent.


ps. Also need to install the new coil spring isolators - this weekend

 

[timh]

Don't know if you have tried this. I chased the DW for a long time on my 00' XJ also. Turned out to be the simplest thing...shock bushings, and they didn't even look worn out.

 

[BIGdaddy]

My exhaust is still being held by zip ties from my hitch Install. Hahahah! Just looked under there on Sunday and remembered I needed to fix that.

 

[Maximus Ram]

Don't know if you have tried this. I chased the DW for a long time on my 00' XJ also. Turned out to be the simplest thing...shock bushings, and they didn't even look worn out.

Brand new shocks. They were needed anyways, but didn't fix it.

 

[ExpoMike]

I can't remember if you changed this or not but have you replaced the unit bearings?

Also, are you at stock height or lifted? If lifted, did you keep the stock lower arms? If so, the lower arms could be too short. I recall finding a chart that listed how much longer the lower arms needed to be, depending on the lift height.

For my 3" lift, the lower arms need to be 1/4" longer. I have JKS adjustable lower arms and set them to that setting. Haven't had a hint of DW. I also have a TNT track bar which has a much heavier duty frame mount, which got welded to the subframe. The bracket is known to loosen up.

 

[Maximus Ram]

yep. replaced the unit bearings. put on adj upper and lower control arms. adj track bar. new tie rod. all new tie rod ends. new shocks. had the tires re balanced. moved tires around. new bushings. new ball joints. steering box stiffner.
need to install the new draglink.
after all is on, I am going to find a shop that knows how to square up the whole thing and get it aligned..again.

 

[Root Moose]

Can you bum another set of wheels off a friend for a quick test drive?

 

[robert j. yates]

had the tires re balanced. moved tires around.

What tires are you running and are you running them on steel wheels?

 

[Maximus Ram]

What tires are you running and are you running them on steel wheels?

31x10.5x15 BFG A/T's on Jeep Canyon rims

 

[ExpoMike]

yep. replaced the unit bearings. put on adj upper and lower control arms. adj track bar. new tie rod. all new tie rod ends. new shocks. had the tires re balanced. moved tires around. new bushings. new ball joints. steering box stiffner.
need to install the new draglink.
after all is on, I am going to find a shop that knows how to square up the whole thing and get it aligned..again.

Wow, you have just about replace everything.

Something I recall reading about is the steering shaft itself, from the steering column to the steering box. They can develop some play and could be a cause. I would say, with the engine off, tires on the ground, have someone rotate the steering wheel about an 1/8 turn left and right (from center) while you watch the steering shaft. If it's not basically a 1:1 ratio of movement (from them turning the wheel to you seeing the shaft move at the same time) that could be a source of problems. Something to check.

Good luck.

 

[robert j. yates]

31x10.5x15 BFG A/T's on Jeep Canyon rims

I could have guessed it was the 10.50's....I've dealt with them before but on steel rims. My experience with them is that they will zero out on a standard tire machine but they don't run true. The advice above to run someones' elses tires and wheels is good advice in this case.

 

[Maximus Ram]

Well, after changing everything in the front, we pulled the new tires off of my daughters ZJ and put them on the XJ.....and guess what...the DW is basically gone. Took it on the freeway and had it up to 70 with only a slight vibration.
Who'd of thunk that after having the tires re-balanced a few times they would still be bad.
Live and learn....

 

[Desolation]

Curiosity.

What is the "Toe" set at?
How much Caster is dialed in?

 

[BIGdaddy]

Well, after changing everything in the front, we pulled the new tires off of my daughters ZJ and put them on the XJ.....and guess what...the DW is basically gone. Took it on the freeway and had it up to 70 with only a slight vibration.
Who'd of thunk that after having the tires re-balanced a few times they would still be bad.
Live and learn....

:wings::wings::wings::wings::wings::wings:

 

[Maximus Ram]

Curiosity.

What is the "Toe" set at?
How much Caster is dialed in?

Well , we measured it front of tire then back of tire and got it to with in a "smidgen" of equal for the caster according to the service manual.

All the parts would have needed to be replaced at some point anyway, it is just funny that it possibly turns out to be the tires.

I still need to have a qualified shop do an alignment, but that is after I get some new tread on it.
With new adjustable upper and lower control arms, a good shop should be able to get everything squared up...