Alot of Play in the Steering Wheel
 

I have a STOCK 1989 XJ and there is about 3 inches of play before the tires turn when turning back and forth. I had this problem back in the day with my old wrangler but had a big lift and tires. What should I look at to fix this? I currently am running 235/75/15's on stock jeep alloy rims. I have power steering.

Please list simple/cheap fixes up to the most expensive if you have a few ideas.

You need 2 people... one to move wheel back and forth .. JUST the play area and one to look at what is lose..wore out.... start with looking at stearing knucle going to stearin box... then look at box then pitmit arm .. then drag link... so on and so on...

Ok so have someone move the wheel and watch where it goes in the steering box to make sure its in fact going in every little move I move. Then check to make sure that coming out of the box its moving.. .then pitman arm. etc? Is that pretty much all that is needed just simply trace it out.

BINGO!!!! :} its not to hard.. but you will see and understand once you start looking at it..

If you dont have anyone to help you jack front end up,and support it with jack stands and move tires and see whats loose as other have stated pitman arm drag link etc. if you have that much play youll surelt be able to see something loose.

I just had the same issue on my 89. Turned out to be the rod end where it attached to pitman arm. As others have said just need to watch it and see where the play is coming from.

Hopefully it just a tie rod and not the steering box. I have heard of jeeps steering boxes that come loose, check the bolts on that if it looks like the pitman arm has alot of play.

play
 

Ball joints cause play in the steering, just had 2 break on g/f's s-10, that had 3-4" of play in the steering, now it has none, almost rolled the truck after i fixed them.