Lots of play in the steering. please HELP!!
 

when i drive my 93 xj the steering has lots of play and it likes to follow every groove on the road.

IS this normal or is there something i need to replace to make this go away

Possibly the steering stabilizer or ball joints

Has nothing to do with the stabilizer. It could be ball joints, any of the steering linkages, loose steering box.

Your ride is 23 years old, what suspension components have been replaced and when?

if steering stabilizer is worn out it could cause it to pull. But if has already been replaced its prob not. I might be wrong. But a mechanic has told me that it could be a possible problem when my xj was having the same problem of pulling

I agree it could be loose steering box. Common problem.

Lots of play in the steering. please HELP!!
 

The steering stabilizer will not cause the steering to pull. a bad alignment will. all the stabilizer does is dampen vibration and hide problems if a mechanic told you that you need to find another shop.

I had the same issue with my 98.

What it ended up being is a whole combo of things:
Bad ball joints on both sides
Steering Box had alot of play (adjusted via the set screw)
Bad u-joint on the drivers side
Bad wheel bearing on passenger side
Bad sway bar bushings
Bad track bar bushings
Bad rear upper shock bushings
And Bad front lower shock bushings.

Steering stabilizer was brand new and didn't even make a difference. EVERY bad component that I replaced only made a bigger and bigger improvement.

The ONLY remaining slop I have is from the steering box itself (I adjusted it as tight as I could before it started binding), and my drag link tie rod end.

Start by figuring out where you have actual play.
Steering box can be adjusted, and bushings can be easily and cheaply replaced.

Anyone know if the 01's steering boxes are adjustable. Every steering component is new but I can move the steering wheel back and forth quite a bit without the pitman arm moving. Was hoping I could adjust it instead of replacing.

Thanks for helping yall
 

The stabilizer are new and heavy duty from rough country.

I check the tie rods and they don't seem to have bad ball joints. Have typical movement.

I think the issue is my steering box. Takes longer than i would like to respond when i turn the wheel. Should respond instantly a small bit but doesn't. Responds when i turn the wheel about 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn.

Gonna upgrade to dodge durango steering box. I 99% percent sure that will fix my issue.


anyone on here near frederick maryland. i looking for places and people to go wheeling with

I know on my '93 the flex coupler between the steering column and the steering box is bad. It causes about 1/8 to 1/4 turn of play.

can you show me what the part you are talking about looks like please

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...6851091068.jpg

It connects from the input shaft of the steering box to the steering column at the firewall. The rubber coupler at the firewall end of the shaft fails. Thats where the play in mine comes from.

Any recommendation on a upgrade and how to test if this my issue?

Borgeson if you want to spend the coin. I think 4wp carries them. It was almost $300 last I looked though. Crown may make a new stock one too though for less.