I have a 99 Cherokee Sport and I've replaced the TRE, ball joints, sway bar, track bar, and u-joints. After all this I'm still getting one popping sound when I turn to the right or left. Also when I'm in 4H, the steering is really bad. Turning to the left it feels like the tire is rubbing something but it's not. Turning to the left the Jeep will stop and go as I'm pressing the gas pedal. Is this the steering box or could it be something bigger?

 

Sounds like you might have a bad u-joint or other fault in one of the front axles. Certain nothing is rubbing when you turn?
The popping noise- have you checked the steering box mounting area for cracks? The steering linkage (from steering wheel to box) for slippage, particularly at the plastic joint near the steering box end?

 

I had a similar issue with my 89 wayyyy back. I think it was as simple as the sway bar bushings. They were shot where they mount to the body and it was binding the whole steering up. If that doesn't work have you checked your transfer case? Is this going on in 4wd only?

 

Also with the jeep in 4wd, assuming its a np231, there will be binding if you are not on a slippery enough surface. The inside tire (in a turn) will "jump" and "pop".

 

OP, you need to elaborate or 4wd type and usage. Because it sounds like your using part time 4wd on dry pavement which is a no no. As for the popping, did you change or grease the point at the pitman arm

 

Yes I was in part time because I was in the parking lot just checking it out. As far as the other parts, everything is new. TRE, ball joint, sway bar, track bar, the bushings everything. Just has the u-joints replaced yesterday.

 

This sounds like what's going on. I was just checking it in the parking lot of my job and the jump and pop thing was what it was doing. This is the first Cherokee that I've owned and obviously it drives completely different from the Wrangler I had for years. It's hard to get that Wrangler point of reference out of my head.

 

I'll check that this weekend. I took a quick look at the steering box but was frustrated and not really paying attention to what I was looking at. I've had a day to relax so another look will probably reveal a little more.

 

Hold on. First off, never drive in part time on dry pavement or light snowed pavement unless slick. You could have screwed up your joints. And second, have you greased everything up front yet

 

While in part time I didn't drive anywhere. I was just in the parking lot. The only thing that's probably not greased is the bearings. I just recently replaced the track bar, sway bar, TRE, ball joints, u joints, as well as bushings.

 

If the vehichle is in movtion, then its driving. you dont have to be on a road to drive. Also..just because you bought new parts does not mean they are greased. if they are sealed and ungreasable then fine, otherwise you should practice greasing parts from a part store. they are cheap for a reason

 

The vehicle wasn't in motion. Hence the name parking lot. All the points where the new parts were replaced are greased. Still tracking down the noise, but it's not coming from the new parts.

 

You changed the TRE on the drag link where it meets the pitman arm. Also, they new yes but are they greasable. Have you checked the spacer by the steering box

 

Yep all the points of contact are greased. I've been looking around the steering box but can't see anything that looks damaged. Doesn't look like it's cracked/leaking or anything. I know there's a hex screw on the top of the steering box that cleans up any slop in the steering...could too much slop cause it? There's probably a good 2 to 3 inches of play in the steering wheel.