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Sloppy steering problem

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 2:42 pm
by Rottwheeler
So my LJ has been tracking / driving perfectly until returning from Moab last week. There's now ~3" of slop in the steering wheel. I've had the tires rotated and balanced... and the front end re-aligned... with no improvement. I'm now thinking its a problem with the steering box... what do you think?

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 3:19 pm
by Lurch
Have some one shake the steering wheel back and forth while you look at all the steering connections. Most likely something is just worn out.

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:11 pm
by scumby
What's your schedule like tomorrow? I can give a hand looking.

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 6:30 pm
by Wrench
Check and see if the bottom bolt on the track bar came loose.

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 7:42 pm
by Rottwheeler
Wrench wrote:Check and see if the bottom bolt on the track bar came loose.


Funny that you mention the track bar... It appears the bushing is damaged and that the bolt is no longer centered. Strange that I didn't notice it before.

Scumby... I get home around 5:30p and live in SE Kennewick. I can PM you my address if that's not too late. I do believe the trackbar joint is the probable culprit.

Thanks to you both!

😃

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:52 am
by scumby
I'll probably be back in my neck of the woods by then, I'm off tomorrow as well.

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 6:59 am
by Livin4Today
Track bar, track bar, track bar.... Is what my guess would be, having screwed my steering all around on my JKU...

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 9:48 am
by Rottwheeler
It appears the bushing that attaches the track bar to the pitman arm is trashed. Waiting for a new bushings to arrive from Rubicon Express, any day now, to effect repairs. Will now have a spare in the tool box. :-)

Thanks to all for your help.

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:11 am
by OldGreen
There's your problem . .the track bar doesn't attach to the pitman arm!! :lol:

I'm guessing it is the tie rod end at the pitman to the drag link?

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:21 am
by Lurch
I think I would find a different shop to do your alignments. They shod have caught that!!!!