Problem: Bumpsteer or the steering wheel and/or Jeep jerk to the left or right when hitting a bump.
Solutions:
* On coil spring Jeeps, check that the track bar and drag link are at the same angle relative to the ground. As little as a 5-degree difference could cause bumpsteer, especially on higher lifts.
* On leaf-spring and coil-spring Jeeps where the track bar isn't suspect, check tire balance, alignment, pitman-arm tightness, steering box, tie-rod ends, ball joints, and axle bearings.
Problem: Can't get the coil spring into the front bucket and/or can't get the tie rod back into the knuckle.
Solutions:
* Check the steering linkage for binding. If you have to fight to get that side of the axle down, maybe your steering is binding up. Use a dropped pitman arm or another aftermarket steering setup that provides higher angularity.
* For TJs, XJs, ZJs, and MJs, we really like the Currie HD steering setup. Not only is it bulletproof, but it allows for a higher angularity than stock parts. Look into it when you approach 311/42-5 inches of lift.
Problem: Vibration that varies with road speed.
Solutions:
* Check the driveshaft angularity. You should be able to jack the Jeep up, put it in Neutral, and turn the driveshaft with no binding. If you feel binding or see where the yokes are hitting each other, either install a transfer-case drop or put a slip-yoke eliminator on the rear output of the transfer case (Rubicon owners need not apply). Sometimes a little light clearancing of the yokes will work temporarily.
* Check that the driveshaft geometry is correct. If you've got a CV-style shaft, the pinion should be pointing directly at the transfer-case output. If you don't have a CV-style shaft, the U-joints at either end of the shaft should be at equal angles to the shaft and the yoke they are bolting into.
* In either case, rotate the axlehousing until it is correct by using angle shims, adjustable control arms, or rewelding the mounting locations on the axle to provide the correct angle.
Problem: Weird noise coming from somewhere.
Solutions:
* If the noise is made when the Jeep is stationary, chock the wheels, fire it up, and chase the noise down. We once put a transfer-case drop bracket on a Jeep, and the fan would just slightly kiss the shroud when the Jeep was flexed out. It took us about three wheeling trips to figure that one out.
* If the noise only occurs when driving, try to isolate what end of the Jeep the sound is coming from and have a buddy drive it past you so you can hear it from outside the Jeep.
* A last resort is to put it on jackstands and run it. Chock the front tires really well, never get under the Jeep, and don't run it up to 100 mph.
* A cheap video camera under the Jeep pointing at moving parts can help diagnose it too.
Problem: Tires, shocks, driveshafts, fender flares, and so on are hitting another component.
Solutions:
* Double-check the clearances.
* Sometimes the shock body hits the axle, so get a relocator kit that moves the bottom of the shock farther from the axle.
* The brake lines will need to be relocated or longer ones will need to be purchased. Check by flexing the Jeep on a big rock, an RTI ramp, or a fork lift.