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 Post subject: Liberty pulls to the left for reasons unknown - apparently
PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:55 pm 
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I've had this pull to the left for some time now. I've had the Liberty into the dealer for alignments - the results of which always say that it is spec. I've taken the thing to my local mechanic and he hasn't been able to find anything wrong. One thing that my mechanic and I both agree on - it's cupping the inside tread on the front driver's side tire.

My last set of tires - stock OEM's - didn't last too long (25K), before the inside edges of those were beat up. In fact I noticed feathering and cupping on those since the first months after I bought it. I kept saying to myself that it was my imagination.

So - has anybody else had this experience? If so has there been and revelations as to what's causing the problem?


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:56 pm 
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It's a CRD... by the way...


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:01 pm 
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being in spec doesnt always mean that its correct, its an average for them to set it by, you can set a vehicle to specs and have it run around in circles if you know what you are doing.
I would find a good local shop and have them check it out, no dealership/Firestone/Goodyear store etc Let the local shop check it over good to see whats really wrong, may have something bent, when did it start??

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PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:07 pm 
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tommudd wrote:
being in spec doesnt always mean that its correct, its an average for them to set it by, you can set a vehicle to specs and have it run around in circles if you know what you are doing.
I would find a good local shop and have them check it out, no dealership/Firestone/Goodyear store etc Let the local shop check it over good to see whats really wrong, may have something bent, when did it start??


I believe it's been cupping the tires since it was new. It's been pulling to the left since I can remember. I thought it was my imaginations. Then it got bad enough to become really annoying. Now days I try to drive on the right lane to take advantage of the crown in the road. This lessens to pull to the left.

FYI: The last dealer I took it to (a couple of days ago) stated that they zero'ed out the toe. The idea I guess is that the drivers side front wheel was toe'd out. I didn't do much good.


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:21 pm 
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Vehicle pulling to one side----

1-Radial tire lead(switch front tires)
2-Brakes dragging
3-Weak or broken coil spring
4-Uneven tire pressure
5-Wheel alignment
6-Loose or worn steering/suspension components
7-Cross caster out of spec(most places do not check this)
8-crown of the road
9-Broken belt in radial tire

Alignment specs(from the service manual for a '02 KJ)

Caster----3.5 degress +/- 0.6 degress,max L/R difference is 0.5 degress

Camber----0 degress +/- 0.375 degress,max L/R difference is 0.07 degress

Toe in----0.20 degress +/- 0.125 degress,max L/R difference is 0.13 degress


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:28 pm 
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if its been doing it since new...what happens when you rotate the tires? you can take the tire out of the mix that way switch side to side...If it had just started doing it would be one thing but this long has to be something more

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:52 pm 
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tommudd wrote:
if its been doing it since new...what happens when you rotate the tires? you can take the tire out of the mix that way switch side to side...If it had just started doing it would be one thing but this long has to be something more


The tires have been rotated every 6 to 8k miles. It's never made a difference.


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PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:11 am 
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so now youre at 2/3/5/6 or 7 on TJKJs list of things

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 1:37 am 
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Cupping on the inside means that tire is turned out at the front while traveling in a straight line, which could mean that the suspension is wanked, such that it is adjustable to spec while static, but forward vehicle movement alters the inclination - this is easily checked by rolling the vehicle forward, braking hard repeatedly, then rolling backward, braking hard repeatedly - an observer should see the wheel position move\recover if the suspension parts are loose - could even be the front wheel bearings are way loose - it is the left front, as the RF does not exhibit symmetrical symptom.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:54 am 
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tjkj2002 wrote:
Alignment specs(from the service manual for a '02 KJ)

Caster----3.5 degress +/- 0.6 degress,max L/R difference is 0.5 degress

Camber----0 degress +/- 0.375 degress,max L/R difference is 0.07 degress

Toe in----0.20 degress +/- 0.125 degress,max L/R difference is 0.13 degress
Are the specs the SAME for ALL year KJs ??? :?:

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:20 pm 
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My Jeep pulls to the right.. If Im driving down the road in a straight line the steering wheel is turned left.

Its done it for along time and Ive had a couple alignments, also got new tires.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:22 pm 
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Well I've had the KJ into 4 different joints (Jeep Dealer, Chevy dealer, and two independents, one of which was highly recommended for this type of work). The last place adjusted the alignment to the nominal spec settings. All places have reported that the front end suspension was inspected and that nothing was found to be amiss. However, tires tell no lies. It appears the tire that is now on the front left is starting to show signs of cupping/feathering on its inner edge. This suggests that the vehicle is not holding alignment (specifically the front left well is showing toe-out) while on the road.

What would cause a toe-out condition on the front left wheel when going down the road? Consider that the pull if mostly apparent on the left side of the road (with crown of road leaning to left). Driving in the right lanes (crown leans to right) seems to compensate for the pull to left. However, on a rare occasion the vehicle will pull right (in the right lane) if the crown/lean to the right is severe enough.

Possibilities? Tie-rod ends? Ball joints? Wheel bearings? Power steering imbalance? Any ideas?

I'm starting to doubt the thoroughness of the inspections performed by the above mention shops. Does this seem reasonable? The tires are clearly having wear issues - so this vehicle must have an issue. Is it reasonable to assume that the problem has not been discovered because only half-assed cursory inspections have been performed? The next time I take this vehicle in for this problem - I'm likely to stick around and have the tech show me the condition of everything.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:05 pm 
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T^2 wrote:
Well I've had the KJ into 4 different joints (Jeep Dealer, Chevy dealer, and two independents, one of which was highly recommended for this type of work). The last place adjusted the alignment to the nominal spec settings. All places have reported that the front end suspension was inspected and that nothing was found to be amiss. However, tires tell no lies. It appears the tire that is now on the front left is starting to show signs of cupping/feathering on its inner edge. This suggests that the vehicle is not holding alignment (specifically the front left well is showing toe-out) while on the road.

What would cause a toe-out condition on the front left wheel when going down the road? Consider that the pull if mostly apparent on the left side of the road (with crown of road leaning to left). Driving in the right lanes (crown leans to right) seems to compensate for the pull to left. However, on a rare occasion the vehicle will pull right (in the right lane) if the crown/lean to the right is severe enough.

Possibilities? Tie-rod ends? Ball joints? Wheel bearings? Power steering imbalance? Any ideas?

I'm starting to doubt the thoroughness of the inspections performed by the above mention shops. Does this seem reasonable? The tires are clearly having wear issues - so this vehicle must have an issue. Is it reasonable to assume that the problem has not been discovered because only half-assed cursory inspections have been performed? The next time I take this vehicle in for this problem - I'm likely to stick around and have the tech show me the condition of everything.
How much do you weigh? If it is over 250lbs you are the one putting your KJ out of alignment when you are driving it.I'm not joking or making fun of you but it can throw the alignment off.


I ran into a problem like this with a Lumina car that I fixed,I put the alignment dead on but the lady kept bring it back saying it pulled to the left all the time,she was over 400lbs.Easy fix,I aligned the car with her sitting in the drivers seat,no more pulling.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:16 pm 
If the inside edge is feathering and not the outside edge, I'd blame too much negative camber or too much toe in.

Has your KJ been wrecked?

Did you get an alignment printout from any of the places? if so, can you scan it and post it?


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:32 am 
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tjkj2002 wrote:
T^2 wrote:
Well I've had the KJ into 4 different joints (Jeep Dealer, Chevy dealer, and two independents, one of which was highly recommended for this type of work). The last place adjusted the alignment to the nominal spec settings. All places have reported that the front end suspension was inspected and that nothing was found to be amiss. However, tires tell no lies. It appears the tire that is now on the front left is starting to show signs of cupping/feathering on its inner edge. This suggests that the vehicle is not holding alignment (specifically the front left well is showing toe-out) while on the road.

What would cause a toe-out condition on the front left wheel when going down the road? Consider that the pull if mostly apparent on the left side of the road (with crown of road leaning to left). Driving in the right lanes (crown leans to right) seems to compensate for the pull to left. However, on a rare occasion the vehicle will pull right (in the right lane) if the crown/lean to the right is severe enough.

Possibilities? Tie-rod ends? Ball joints? Wheel bearings? Power steering imbalance? Any ideas?

I'm starting to doubt the thoroughness of the inspections performed by the above mention shops. Does this seem reasonable? The tires are clearly having wear issues - so this vehicle must have an issue. Is it reasonable to assume that the problem has not been discovered because only half-assed cursory inspections have been performed? The next time I take this vehicle in for this problem - I'm likely to stick around and have the tech show me the condition of everything.
How much do you weigh? If it is over 250lbs you are the one putting your KJ out of alignment when you are driving it.I'm not joking or making fun of you but it can throw the alignment off.


I ran into a problem like this with a Lumina car that I fixed,I put the alignment dead on but the lady kept bring it back saying it pulled to the left all the time,she was over 400lbs.Easy fix,I aligned the car with her sitting in the drivers seat,no more pulling.


I'm 185 lbs. I know I could loose a couple of pounds - but geeez.... Interesting theory though....

Power steering imbalance doesn't seem plausible. It might cause the pull, but not the unusual tire wear. That's my guess anyway....

I know this 4x4 joint in Glen Burnie (Mid Atlantic 4x4). I've never had any business with them, but since their business is suspensions - I thought I might try them next.

The saga continues...


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:39 am 
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Lower the track bar and put one round of wedge in the left rear. :lol:


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