I've looked through several threads and many talk about that track bar being a main issue. I've gone under and seems that all the joints, etc are tight. Here's what I see.
There is a lot of play when I turn the wheels to the left in the morning. What helps is that if I back up and turn the back end to my right, hit brakes. Maybe do it again. Then it tightens up the rest of the drive to work. About 50 miles.
Do it every morning. When I look, I just don't find anything. Can it be power steering related? Or where do I look. And I'll change parts to find the problem if need. But expensive.
Been doing this for quite a while. At least several months.

 

On a 20 yo vehicle, all the front suspension components should have been replaced at least once.

 

Looks like I have some work to do.
I bought it 6 years ago so I do not know about the front end replacement. I do know that he did a lot of work himself. Guess I need to start replacing parts.
Should I start with the track bar. Then move to the pit arms, ?
Can't all at once due to time.

 

I had similar issues with my 01. I ended up swapping in a HO D30 & before I did, I replaced every bushing, ball joint, steering ends, and it's 100% better. Ya, buy all your parts and install them. You'll be good to go.

 

Mine is kinda the same way....lots of parts needed to replace, to bring it back to good steering..
Have someone move the steering wheel ( engine off ) while you watch for where all the monkey motion is under there....

 

The track bar is the culprit in 'death wobble', and its failure/slop shouldn't result in sloppy steering. My Jeep had sloppy, loose steering at 193000 miles when I bought it...and I replaced all the tie rods and the track bar and it fixed the sloppiness for the most part.

You should be able to get all the tierods and a track bar from Autozone for about $150, and putting them all in will take maybe an hour or two. You will need to get it aligned afterwards, or do that yourself if you are so inclined. Using penetrating oil or 'pb blaster' on the castlenuts on each tie rod end and the track bar end will make it a whole lot easier...

Wear gloves to stave off tetanus.

(It is rumored that JK tierods are bolt-in in XJs and beefier than what they normally came with. If you plan on doing some offroading you might consider that route and research it a bit...)

 

I have someone turn the wheel left and right, then look for play, starting at the Pittman arm off the steering box. I my case, just the ball-joint on the Pittman arm and the box it's-self were loose. Took care of that and it feels fine. Little surprised, (and pleased). Over 280K, and my road, (since 02), is washboard gravel for 6 miles each trip. I'm very pleased with Jeep suspension/steering components. Been through plenty before the Jeep(s).

 

Always tighten the bolts holding the track bar bracket to the driver's side frame rail. Frequently loosened up a bit.

 

The steering 'box' is sloppy. I'm referring to the 'box'. The the steering column connects down to the steering 'box' that turns the wheels left and right. Forgive lack of terms. I'm looking up the correct names so I can t least sound half smart.

 

Don't be surprised if this doesn't fix the issue, but this is how to tighten the steering box.

 

If you go there be very careful. The reason he only goes 1/8 turn at a time is it's VERY easy to get it too tight, which will ruin the box! Like he said, that's a last resort after you are sure the play is not elsewhere. I don't get why people post it doesn't work....Worked on my 90, and once years ago on an old Ford Truck. Maybe not always, buy it definitely can work. Just be careful!

 

Good video. That steering box is where all my play is. Weird that it tightens up when I turn it a certain way. Then good for the entire drive.
I'll review the video a few times and take a look.
I checked AZ sight for new bushings etc. They have all kinds. Energy Suspension track bar bushings. Track bar bushings. Anyone know the difference and what works the best. Costs are all about the same, under $15 so not an expensive choice.

Thanks

 

Wonder if someone already monkeyed with it...Binding going straight is what happens if it's too tight...

 

Hey thanks for the response. Now with a break at Christmas, I'm looking at the steering. When I did a brake job, replaced the front rotors, both sides, I wiggled the tie rods etc. I can twist it. But is it 'bad'. Attached is a video of one side. And it acts the same on the other. Is it too loose?
I was tired and I called it the track bar. It's the tie rod ends.


Jeep%20Suspension%201_zpsjkxpqs97.mp4

Jeep%20Suspension%201_zpsjkxpqs97.mp4

Jeep%20Suspension%201_zpsjkxpqs97.mp4

 

Jeep%20Suspension%202_zpsqqgimefu.mp4I tried posting the video from photobucket, but won't. What am i doing wrong?
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Maybe this works?
http://vid857.photobucket.com/albums...psjkxpqs97.mp4

Jeep%20Suspension%201_zpsjkxpqs97.mp4