Texcuda

Can anyone tell what the normal "resistance" I should feel when trying to turn the steering should be? I just my 99 Xj and it runs great, but i'm trying to figure this out. Even at speed 65+, it's difficult to turn. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being old fashioned manual steering and 10 being modern power steering I would rate it a 5 regardless of road speed. Is this normal? If not has anyone encountered this problem before, hopefully it's not the gearbox going out. The power steering seems to be working fine, full of fluid, no squeeling, etc. Any thoughts? Thanks for the help

Chris

TXstiGuy

Probably the steering box, it should turn with one finger, i.e very light steering.

Texcuda

would a worn steering knuckle, or tie-rod end cause something like this? It's my first jeep so I am very unfamiliar with the quirks they have. Thx

troy fritz

Could be your steering stabilizer going bad too.Thats the shock on the front of your front axel.The 1 that goes sideways

00jeepXJ

Like the one guy said it should turn uber light. Unless you havd a police package...I have that joy in a 00 XJ and learned the hard way that there is a slight chance that you might have a different raitio in it. Not really sure on how to tell until it is in. I would check all the grease joints (4 maybe?) and the steering dampener ( stabilizer). Ask a local dealership that sells jeeps, if they are still around that is, to run your VIN number and that should tell you what was ordered and optioned out in your xj. If you need to replace your gear box then remove the front clip ( 10 bolts that are 10mm by the headlights and directly behind the hood opening.) and pull that all off and out of the way carefully. You will also want to have more coolant as you will maybe want to pull the radiator at the same time for ease of access. It seems like a hard deal but it took me only half and hour to replace mine and my radiator with the help of one friend. Other then that there is no real easy way to access those gear boxes.
Good luck!

Texcuda

hmm...i'll disconnect the stablilzer and see what happens. I think for now i'm going to start by disconnecting 1 part at a time until the "binding" goes away. thanks for the idea's.

Kingsblue

Hey Tex, ever get this figured out? My 01 Sport is the same way.

Kingsblue

I've had my 01 Sport for 6 months and it has always had stiff steering. I recently had my mechanic back off the adjustment screw and all it did was give me play in my steering wheel. When the wheel actually catches it is still just as hard to turn no matter what the speed. So I had him tighten it back. I'm wondering if it's the steering box or if it could be the steering dampener (which has fluid spots all around it). It seems that the dampener would be easier to go in and out if the seals are bad. (no resistance). Is it possible that it's joints or other steering components? It has 174K miles on it.
About this police package. Are there any other way to tell if my Jeep had this package?

Mgray98

Im also having problems with my steering when I first got it I put a trail master 4.5in lift kit. Then ended up getting a new Rubicon express steering stabilizer and track bar and even changed the power steering gear box it's not super stiff but should be easier . I'm running stock axles with stock steering other then the track bar and steering stabilizer running a 31x10.50 tire my dad had a jeep with a 6.5 in lift with Dana 40 and 44s and had 1 ton steering I don't know if it was the steering upgrade but that thing was like butter and he had 35x13.50 any info is appreciated

nujeepguy

i changed the box in my 00 from the top and below. move rad hose,not ez to unhook ps hoses but no need to mess with grill/rad!
my steering was toooo eazy!you could blow on the wheel and steer it! it had a broken bolt flange so it had to go. your problem could be in the box.

EEVEE

i have terrible alignment and such but mine on random says turns either butter smooth or gotta give it some force... then again a leaky power steering line would be to blame as well so mine at times is a 4 to 6 at times. check your power steering fluid seems when mines low it gets harder to turn.