So my 2000 xj started making a weird clunking noise when steering off center the first 1/16th of a turn in either direction. It is driving me insane and i have no other thoughts on what it could be... Since the noise started happening i have change all four balljoints, drag link, tie rod and tie rod ends, both hubs, and the track bar. The only other things i could think of is the tie rod end coming off the pitment arm or something in the steering box. I have tried having someone turn the wheel while looking at everything in the front end but i see no play anywhere. any help would be appreciated.

 

Make sure the track bar BRACKET to frame rail bolts are tight. Don't just look at them. Put a tool on them.

 

You probably should check the fasteners and bushings on everything. Shocks have bushings on both ends that can go bad and the top seems pretty prone to rusting, Sway bar link bushings at both ends, sway bar to frame bushings... etc etc.

Did you try to move the tie rod at the pitman arm? If it's questionable at all, I'd replace it.

Are any of the boots ripped on any of the steering components? Inspect these closely - I just disconnected the driver's side tie-rod end when I was replacing the ball joints and the boot had a nasty tear in it that I wouldn't have noticed with a casual look since it was up against the bottom of the knuckle and on the inside.

 

Watch your control arms closely too. Could be they are moving side to side if the bushings are bad enough.

 

And don't forget to report back with your findings. A lot of folks seem to be having this problem in the last couple of days.

 

is it like this?
this is mine and I never have found it. I replaced that tie rod end at the pitman arm which helped a lot but didn't totally fix it.

edit: I just found what it was today. The piece of metal that wraps around the frame rails at the front is loose and when the steering box moves against the wheels, it torques the frame rails and pops against that loose piece.