URTJEEP

Hey all-

Yesterday I was driving along fine all day. After dinner, I went to pull out of the parking spot and noticed that there is a jerk in the steering wheel when I am in 2wd. I read the 4wd thread post before, and noticed that someone responded with a question about the 2wd steering jerk. I have to wait until the weekend to get somewhere to look at it because of work, but what would cause this?

FYI:
- the power steering fluid is full when I checked this morning.
- the jerk is more prevelant at low speeds (5 - 10 mph) but is still there in higher speeds (10 - 20 mph) if I am making a pretty sharp turn

losingxinsight

I'm not sure you'd call it a jerk....but maybe you would. Mine does I'm guessing the same thing from time to time. It happens randomly and one minute it's there the next it isn't. So I've just left it alone. I guess I should look into that.

ol"blue

I'm just guessing... could the front axle not be disengaging?

URTJEEP

Would I check this by switching from 2wd to 4wd and then back? Also, I haven't been in 4wd lately..I am in florida currently and havent done any off-roading at all since Ive been down here (about a two weeks) and I never had this problem up north.

URTJEEP

Your right, its not really a jerk, but the steering wheel isnt fluid when you are turning. For lack of a better term, it kind of jumps/jerks when I am turning. How long did your problems or symptoms occur for?

losingxinsight

Sorta like...a bump in the steering. I think mine is steering u-joints.
And it all depends. I can't duplicate it for the life of me and it's all random. Sometimes it's just once, and others it's for a good mile or so.

hedbutter

does it happen at turns of any degree? or only when the steering wheel is all the way from the left to the right? I know in my caprice(a little different but bear with me) if i cut the wheel the whole way to one of the side it kid of "hops" a bit like you are describing, on the forum for my caprice, its normal with a softer tire, wider than normal tire.. dont remember the reasoning, just remember it being common and not considered a problem

losingxinsight

Usually on mid-range turns for me.

URTJEEP

Mine normally occurs around the midrange as well. Any ideas for what the possible solution could be, or should I start calling up a dealership and seeing what they can do.

-Tires are the after-market stock.
-And the "hopping" has been going on for aproximately 15 miles of driving now.

losingxinsight

Like I said, I'm not exactly sure but I think for me at least it's steering u-joints. I have an extra 7 inches of tread though so that also may be why. Maybe find your steering linkage and grease everything up. It's just what I'd do.