- 1). Take the Jeep out for a test drive. Test driving the Jeep can give you some clue as to the source of the wandering problem. Accelerate to approximately 35-miles per hour, and let go of the wheel. If the vehicle makes a sudden veer in either direction, then you probably have an alignment problem. Just to be sure though, accelerate to the same speed again and gently press the brakes. If the vehicle veers more rapidly or harder then your front brakes are not stopping the vehicle evenly. Return to the Jeep to your inspection area or workspace.
- 2). Raise the front of the Jeep, using a 2-ton jack or jack with greater capacity. Place jack stands just inside of either front lower control arm, underneath the front frame rails. Allow the suspension to hang freely for this portion of the inspection process.
- 3). Lay beneath the front end of the Jeep just inside the front wheel area, on either side of the vehicle. Place your hand physically onto the tie rod, which connects the steering knuckles to the steering rack or steering arm.
- 4). Ask an assistant to wiggle the wheel and tire on the same side of the vehicle as you are positioned. Ask him/her to wiggle the wheel from side to side, placing his/her hands on the front and rear treads of the tires. If you feel a knocking in the tie rod, move your hand toward the wheel end of the tie rod, whereas if it gets weaker, then your inner tie rod is the culprit.
- 5). Ask your assistant to wiggle the tire in the same position that your are seated from top to bottom. Visually inspect for any movement in the lower and upper ball joints of the Jeep. Any play or knocking feeling from top to bottom indicates a bad ball joint, which will need to be replaced. Bad ball joints will cause a vehicle to become out of alignment and cause a wandering in the steering. Ball joints are the main link between the steering and suspension. Use a flashlight to see if necessary.
- 6). Inspect the tire pressure on the vehicle, using a tire pressure gauge. All four tires should be at equal pressure. One low pressure tire can create enough increased friction on the road, that it will literally slow down one side of the car. This pulling from the low pressure tire can cause wandering.
- 7). Remove the front wheel from the Jeep and visually inspect the front brake assembly. The front pads should wear evenly, or close to it. If you notice that one pad (usually rear side) is wearing faster than the other, then your caliper may be sticking. In the event that your caliper is sticking, you can perform a self caliper slide lubrication service which should clear up the problem. If the caliper slides are too damaged, then chances are your caliper will need to be replaced as well.
- 8). Repeat Steps 3 through 7 to repeat this entire inspection on the second front side of the vehicle. Do not assume just because the vehicle is wandering to the right, that the source of the problem is on the right. A bad tie rod that is maladjusted toe inward, can push the vehicle to the opposite side of the road.
- 9). Visually inspect your front and rear stabilizer or sway bars. A bent stabilizer bar can cause a vehicle to lean or wander to one side or another. In the event that you find a bent or damaged sway bar or links, replacement of the faulty parts will be necessary.
- 10
Have the Jeep aligned professionally. Whether you choose to replace broken or bad parts on your own, or have them replaced in a shop is completely your choice. Having the vehicle aligned after replacement of the part or parts that are causing the wandering, is essential to keeping the entire vehicle rolling straight. Performing this entire inspection on your jeep, replacing faulty suspension steering or brake parts, and aligning the vehicle, will eliminate your wandering problem.
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