[wantabiggerrig]

I have an 03 rubicon with 3 inch springs and 35s , its been set up like that for years, but recently have been getting handeling problems that are driving me crazy. The jeep just feels like it all over the road, sways from side, its almost a floating feeling and like im just guding the jeep not actully driving it. Ive been replacing parts and its just gotten worse, almost to the point where im scared to drive it in the wind or over 60km. I dont know what else to check and ready to sell this jeep as it just feels so unstable, swaying and all over the place.

So far ive replaced

-shocks (skycrapers)
-front track bar (rustys) seem good and tight
-steering stabalizer
-replaced tires from 35s to 31 stock rubi rubber
-been to best steering shop around-they told me everything is lineing up streight.


Any help would be greatly appreciated !

 

[sleepsontoilet]

Is your rear sway bar intact? I would suggest upgrading the sway bars to an anti rock or the equivilent. Then maybe OME, Bilstein, etc for good shocks. Lastly change control arms. You might wanna check all of your bushings and bolts for correct torque.

 

[wantabiggerrig]

The front and rear sway bars are hooked up -front JKS disconnects, but ill check the rear ones. When reading the antirock descriptions it mentions that you may loose proformance onroad....and I really dont want any more sway side to side so thats why I shyed away from them!

Mostly swaying side to side, always having to adjust my steering 2 inches here, 2 inches there, it almost like im driving drunk down the road-scary!

 

[rubitx]

Put your rig on jack stands and see if there is any play up/down, side to side, etc. Also, pull/push on the wheel/tire to see if there's any play. Do the rear as well. While it's up just check every nut and bolt, hit all the zerks and grease everything good. Check your welds on frame and axle tubes. Give it a hard look before throwing more money into it.

 

[sleepsontoilet]

The front and rear sway bars are hooked up -front JKS disconnects, but ill check the rear ones. When reading the antirock descriptions it mentions that you may loose proformance onroad....and I really dont want any more sway side to side so thats why I shyed away from them!

Mostly swaying side to side, always having to adjust my steering 2 inches here, 2 inches there, it almost like im driving drunk down the road-scary!

depends on the setting

 

[f9k9]

.................................-front track bar (rustys) seem good and tight...........

I admit that I am no fan of the gentleman and the newly acquired handling problem, can be a caused by many issues or a combination, there of. I would look long and hard at that "seem to be good and tight" track bar. Throw out the stabilizer replacement as a step towards finding the cause of your issue. Our rigs "in theory" don't really need the things if, everything else is tight. I admit that I to replaced a good stabilizer this year in a process of elimination but, I knew better.

If, you have a rear track bar relocation bracket, check it out too. They have a habit of getting loose and making normal driving interesting.

 

[gregert12]

Also check for any wallowed holes on the trackbar bracket, control arm bolt areas and that the unit bearings, knuckles/balljoints are all intact. How are your tie rod ends on the steering system?

 

[heck]

I replaced the front unit bearings on my '03 with similar problems. Driving straight down the road and suddenly veer left or right. You couldn't feel any play in the front end pushing and pulling by hand, but I had 107,000 miles. The handling with new bearings is like night and day.

 

[gregert12]

Also check to make sure the unit bearing nuts are tight, 36MM, I had those come loose on me a few times before and the rig reacted the same as you explained.