somethings wrong...ha

[nichole43]

alright so.....
my steering is really loose and sometimes it almost seems to possess a mind of its own
having said that i have recently noticed, only when pulling into parking spots so i assume it's because my wheel is all the way turned, when i turn to the left it will jerk extremely hard and it feels like it won't move anymore until i straighten my wheel out.
this is my first 4x4 and there are so many components that could be the cause of that, from my understanding, any ideas?

[CT99XJ]

one: check to see if it's in 4wd. that would probably do it if you're turning sharp, the U-joints sometimes bind up a bit.

two: tires rubbing? did you put on wider or taller than stock? they might be hitting trim.

three: steering could use some tightening. check tir rod ends and the pitman arm on the steering box, make sure the linkage looks in good repair.

four: steering box may be thinking about going. this = not all that great. might want to have a shop look at it just to make sure.

five: wheel bearing/u-joint. check your bearings to make sure they rotate freely, if one's binding that could cause it to drift on the road. also check the u-joints to make sure there's no slip.

[nichole43]

well thank you. the tires are stock and it's always in 4wd but it didn't start doing it til like a month ago but ill check the other stuff out

[muddeprived]

Originally Posted by nichole43

alright so.....
my steering is really loose and sometimes it almost seems to possess a mind of its own
having said that i have recently noticed, only when pulling into parking spots so i assume it's because my wheel is all the way turned, when i turn to the left it will jerk extremely hard and it feels like it won't move anymore until i straighten my wheel out.
this is my first 4x4 and there are so many components that could be the cause of that, from my understanding, any ideas?

Sounds like binding of some sort. Your u-joints could be going. Does the steering wheel jerk back and forth when you turn?

Do you have the np231 or np242 (full time 4x4)?

[nichole43]

no not the steering wheel the truck wont move smoothly it just jerks forward

[drakan1908]

You should have the 247/249 transfer case(I can't keep them straight). Check the fluid level, it could be low or the viscious coupling could be going bad.

[nichole43]

Originally Posted by drakan1908

You should have the 247/249 transfer case(I can't keep them straight). Check the fluid level, it could be low or the viscious coupling could be going bad.

thats possible too. i actually had a previous thread about tires and my transfer case cause my tread wear was very different from tire to tire

[CT99XJ]

tire wear may just be an alignment problem. anything with the ujoints or maybe the tcase could be causing that. and it sounds dumb, but check the lug nuts- i got that feeling once, and it was because my lugs were wallowing out my rims and the rims themselves were moving a little

[96sport]

Originally Posted by nichole43

thats possible too. i actually had a previous thread about tires and my transfer case cause my tread wear was very different from tire to tire

I wouldn't be suprised if your VC is going out if not already locked up.

[nichole43]

Originally Posted by CT99XJ

tire wear may just be an alignment problem. anything with the ujoints or maybe the tcase could be causing that. and it sounds dumb, but check the lug nuts- i got that feeling once, and it was because my lugs were wallowing out my rims and the rims themselves were moving a little

i never would have thought to check my lug nuts, i'll actually have time tomorrow so i'll take a look, and about the VC can't i drive without one anyway?

[4.3L XJ]

Yes. It will just appear it is binding and then letting go. If you are driving in snow, just lock it in 4WD

[nichole43]

okay..yeah its always 4wd so hopefully i will be fine