Alot of Play in the Steering Wheel
#1
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l I6
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.
Please list simple/cheap fixes up to the most expensive if you have a few ideas.
#2
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: St Augustine Florida
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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...
#3
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l I6
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.
#4
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: St Augustine Florida
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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..
#5
CF Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Watha,NC
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: Jeepless at the moment
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.
#6
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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.
#7
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: leesburg
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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.
Trending Topics
#8
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.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rdr8887
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
11
01-27-2020 09:24 AM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)