my jeep steers and handles bad. its always been bad but the steering seems to be getting worse. i checked the steering stabilizer shock today by removing it seemed ok but when i bolted it back on i noticed the rod it bolt into moved at the tierod end side to side i can grab either one and move them side to side. all of the steering stuff, tierod ends and whetever else. the trackbar looks fiine but it looks like it doesnt sit flat at the top. also is the long straight steering bar suposed to have a slight curve in it or is it bent from wheeling?
Thanks 4.3 XJ and Muddeprived, We checked the steering last night as you recommend. The only detectable play is with the steering wheel. In otherwords, my son rocked the steering wheel slightly back and forth and there is an amount of play before the pitman arm is engaged.
A point on the steering wheel may travel as much as 2inches to either side before the pitman arm makes a motion. Does this suggest to you the gear box needs to be replaced?
No, it just needs to be adjusted. Easy fix and will cost you nothing but a few minutes of time. There is a nut and allen screw on the top. Loosen the nut and turn the screw in with the engine running until you get instant motion from the pitman arm while rocking the steering wheel back and forth. Don't over tighten it.
Alright, to access the top of the steering gear box nut and allen screw, I removed the auxiliary radiator fan. I loosened the nut, then started the engine and began to notice fluid draining from around the nut. I tightened the allen screw clockwise. The screw turned about 360 deg. and I noticed more engagement of the pitman arm. Tightened the nut and went for a test drive.
The symptoms of road wandering seemed to be magnified. In other words, it was harder to keep a straight line on the road. Steering seems stiff around dead center but the propensity to wander seemed greater.
Does this sound more like tie rod/ drag link issues? I am going to try to reset the nut/screw settings.
If the steering seems stiff, the box is too tight. Back it off a little and then check the rest of the steering.
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