nikuk

Morning, prepare for a wall of text

Wifes "new" daily driver - 98 Classic with select trac. and 161k miles.

Road speeds above ~20mph when she (the XJ) hits a bump, during even minimal degree of steering input, there is a small clunk which feels like a bushing...
...but of more concern is that she instantly feels like she is oversteering (usually ~10*, max 20*) and you have to feed in steering wheel correction as if the *** end is hanging out, but it's not. This is on dry road (as well as inclement weather) and speeds such that I know the rear isn't breaking loose.

She doesn't really vibrate (death wobble) at all, maaaybe just a hint at higher speeds (50+) when this happens.

Also (and I think related) there is a dead spot in the power steering.
Reservoir is full, no leaks, no whine, yet there is about 5* of steering wheel rotation (at any speed) that results in zero rotation / correction of rack movement. She also has the typical steering column squeal and so when i went to lube the firewall bushing i found that I can turn the steering shaft, by hand, up to ~10* L/R - parked, on her tires, engine off, and wheel 'locked' by key.

What I've done to diagnose it insofar:

• Alot of reading on the Googles, and through here.
• I have access to a two post lift and a couple of friends who have ~25 yrs of auto tech experience (I can use their shop / lift / experience).
• She tracks and brakes true on a 'smooth' road.
• On her tires, turning the steering wheel slowly or quickly it doesn't appear that the body is moving over the axle at all
• When lifting the truck on a 2 post and watching the front suspension unload the axle / wheels appear to drop away and deflect "down & back" as it should
• With the truck in the air the entire front end is very tight - no X or Y axis play on either Wheel; no give in any of the steering linkage; no give in the track bar.
• It has brand new front brakes (calipers pads rotors); new lower track bar & bushings; the shocks, springs, LCAs, tie rods, and ball joints all appear to be in nice shape.
• The steering gear box is secure to the frame and doesn't appear to have any concerns externally.

Now it is apparent that the truck has been "off roaded" to at least a minor degree as evidenced by the mud caking and a few dings in the stock rocker panels, but again: it tracks straight and everything structural is very clean.

So, what does CherokeeForum think?
Steering gear box?

-Nick

nikuk

Oh, and yes, I have read "Here's an engineering description of DW. I get tired of seeing people guessing at what's causing their DW, so here goes. Hope it helps someone."

Also, for what its worth, I have a bit of professional wrenching experience as well - which is why I don't want to just throw parts at it - I'm ready to order a new steering damper but I'm more concerned about addressing the "dead spot" first

alpine.adrenaline

I have the same issue. I've been putting off diagnosis because of the crummy weather here but I've been told to let someone else shake the steering wheel left and right while you're under the front to find loose bushings or connection points. You might want to hold one of the wheels in place while your helper moves the steering wheel. I don't know if you've already done this; you mention that once you have it up you can't find any loose linkage but this diagnosis might require an extra set of hands. Hope that helps to at least pinpoint the problem.

freexj

long time ago when i got my jeep i had this problem, i checked and checked and what it ended up being is a combo of the steering box and the track arm. now be for you say "the track bar is good" you need to check the vertical movement on the ball joint. if you think about it the "oversteer" feeling is from when you enter a turn the force on the drag link pushes the axel the way you are turning but shortly inersha takes over and moves the body the opposite way. at lower speeds inersha in low and you have delay in the movement of the body which gives you a big "oversteer" feeling, where as at high speed there is little delay in the body movement and the "oversteer" feeling is small or not noticeable. hope this helps, im totaly aware that what fixes one jeep may not fix another, to me the slop in the steering columb can only make this problem worse but probably not the cause.

nikuk

track bar is brand new (was done as part of annual NY Inspection last month under previous owner), has no "wheel : wheel" play, don't think I tried axial. Will do tonight.

We did the "watch the axle while you turn the steering wheel" test on the ground, suspension loaded... come to think of it I was focused on the track bar & steering box, will re-do.

I understand what you mean... front suspension, especially in the inverted Y setups, tend to make mountains out of mole hills when it comes to problems.

freexj

I was thinking more about it and another item to check is the rear upper control arm bolt(s) it can get worn or brake and fall out. I had that happen to me and had no bumb steer but it turned funny. Just a thought