Can't get steering wheel straight - Maxed out Drag link
#1
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Can't get steering wheel straight - Maxed out Drag link
Just picked up a 1998 Cherokee and it had a crooked steering wheel. At first I thought I'll just adjust the drag link and it will be a simple fix. Well after tinkering with it for a bit - I have adjusted it all the way in both directions attempting to solve this issue. When all the way to the left the wheel is still crooked and when I go all the way to the right the wheel is straight but I only get a half of a turn when making a left turn. So now I'm thinking I have something that is bent/damaged? The vehicle was in a minor collision prior to me purchasing it. This information was disclosed by the P/O. The Jeep drives straight down the road and nothing seems out of alignment. I took a few pictures of underneath and I wanted to see what you guys thought. As it sits now the steering wheel is 90* crooked.
Working on getting pictures uploaded now.
Working on getting pictures uploaded now.
Last edited by hellmouth19d; 07-15-2014 at 02:48 PM.
#3
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Year: '93
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5L I4 (Mercedes Turbo Diesel planned)
If it drives straight enough for your liking and comfort, I'd say center the drag link adjuster, then pull the wheel off and center it. You'll need a wheel puller for that, but it's easy as pie to do.
#4
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I'll look into that. Would the auto turn signal off feature work properly if I just took wheel off rotated it and put it back on??
#5
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Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
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No that won't work because there is at least a locating tab/slot in there. The steering wheel only goes on the shaft one way. In addition, be very careful when screwing around with a steering wheel that has an airbag. You could be seriously injured or killed if it goes off.
You're going to need to go to a front end shop to see what is exactly out of spec. This is a potentially dangerous situation that needs to be taken care of. The very next time you drive it needs to be to the shop.
This is a case where paying a professional is money well spent.
You're going to need to go to a front end shop to see what is exactly out of spec. This is a potentially dangerous situation that needs to be taken care of. The very next time you drive it needs to be to the shop.
This is a case where paying a professional is money well spent.
#6
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Year: 1998
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No that won't work because there is at least a locating tab/slot in there. The steering wheel only goes on the shaft one way. In addition, be very careful when screwing around with a steering wheel that has an airbag. You could be seriously injured or killed if it goes off.
You're going to need to go to a front end shop to see what is exactly out of spec. This is a potentially dangerous situation that needs to be taken care of. The very next time you drive it needs to be to the shop.
This is a case where paying a professional is money well spent.
You're going to need to go to a front end shop to see what is exactly out of spec. This is a potentially dangerous situation that needs to be taken care of. The very next time you drive it needs to be to the shop.
This is a case where paying a professional is money well spent.
#7
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Year: 2001, 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
It almost looks like the drag link at the pitman arm and one end of the tie rod is worn/ tweaked. I would just take to an alignment shop and ask them to check it out.
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#8
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Year: 1998
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Engine: 4.0L
Okay so just picked it back up and here is the verdict.
I will list it off just like they wrote it down.
-Track bar has play
-Pitman arm bent
-Tie rod at pitman arm may be bent
-Gear box splines may be twisted
LOL they quoted me at $1,200 for repairs. That would include new pitman arm, tie rod ends, steering box, track bar and finally a wheel alignment. Well I'm going to fix this myself but I need to know what I should start with.
I will list it off just like they wrote it down.
-Track bar has play
-Pitman arm bent
-Tie rod at pitman arm may be bent
-Gear box splines may be twisted
LOL they quoted me at $1,200 for repairs. That would include new pitman arm, tie rod ends, steering box, track bar and finally a wheel alignment. Well I'm going to fix this myself but I need to know what I should start with.
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Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Okay so just picked it back up and here is the verdict.
I will list it off just like they wrote it down.
-Track bar has play
-Pitman arm bent
-Tie rod at pitman arm may be bent
-Gear box splines may be twisted
LOL they quoted me at $1,200 for repairs. That would include new pitman arm, tie rod ends, steering box, track bar and finally a wheel alignment. Well I'm going to fix this myself but I need to know what I should start with.
I will list it off just like they wrote it down.
-Track bar has play
-Pitman arm bent
-Tie rod at pitman arm may be bent
-Gear box splines may be twisted
LOL they quoted me at $1,200 for repairs. That would include new pitman arm, tie rod ends, steering box, track bar and finally a wheel alignment. Well I'm going to fix this myself but I need to know what I should start with.
Last edited by Firestorm500; 07-16-2014 at 07:25 PM.
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Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Okay so just picked it back up and here is the verdict.
I will list it off just like they wrote it down.
-Track bar has play
-Pitman arm bent
-Tie rod at pitman arm may be bent
-Gear box splines may be twisted
LOL they quoted me at $1,200 for repairs. That would include new pitman arm, tie rod ends, steering box, track bar and finally a wheel alignment. Well I'm going to fix this myself but I need to know what I should start with.
I will list it off just like they wrote it down.
-Track bar has play
-Pitman arm bent
-Tie rod at pitman arm may be bent
-Gear box splines may be twisted
LOL they quoted me at $1,200 for repairs. That would include new pitman arm, tie rod ends, steering box, track bar and finally a wheel alignment. Well I'm going to fix this myself but I need to know what I should start with.
#14
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Year: 1998
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Engine: 4.0L
Steering play feels normal, nothing out of the ordinary. I'm wondering if I have a bent drag link, track bar or tre... Can't see it with naked eye though.
#15
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Take a pic of yours front steering system as a whole from the front at a crouch level then hit up a junk yard and look at the other xj's in there and see if you notice any differences of yours to other xj's. best way to truly spot a difference and know. Then what ever is truly bent just grab that part off and swap