Sig220

Does anyone have and ideas or pointers about the fix for this? My XJ gets driven a lot and I got used to a bunch of its oddities to where I don't notice them.
My steering has a little slack in it, you can probably turn the steering wheel a 1/2 inch before it affects the direction at road speeds. I have developed a back and forth
motion on the steering wheel to compensate for this. While it keeps you in your lane, sometimes you feel like a ping pong ball going from one side to the other.
I REALLY noticed it when I drive my Z71 and I bring my XJ steering habit to that vehicle! Much more sensitive steering that does not mesh with the back and forth used on the XJ.

So what am I looking at fixing? I have looked at the steering gear and know you can tighten it for slack, but when I do it feels toooo tight.

I need ideas, guys!

Sirsyc0

Fairly straightforward. Reasealed my gear a couple months ago. As long as the wear isn’t excessive this will help a lot. The only catch is that it has to be in a bench vise. Resealing the 4 leak points while it’s out isn’t too difficult if your up to it.

Sig220

SirsycO,
Thanks for your response. I don't have a leaking steering gear, just when I tightened the adjustment screw it seemed like the steering was tooo tight.
If I misunderstood your post, let me know!

The only other thing that may be important is the front tire wear is ideal. Alignment and balance must be good!

Sirsyc0

I posted the procedure for the over center adjustment. It’s the adjustment for slop in the wheel your describing. If you have a lot of play, you can get it close with the steering gear on the vehicle. You say you’re down to a 1/2 inch of play witch isn’t bad, but too get it tighter without over tightening you’ll probably have to pull the gear and do the procedure in the manual. I’m guessing you’ve checked the rest of your steering and you’ve narrowed it down to the steering gear being the culprit. BTW. It’s a fine line between too tight and right on the money. Off the vehicle adjustment was the only way I was able to get it feeling like I wanted it to feel and be certain it was right.

Sig220

Thanks again Sirsc0! I will reexamine the slack adjuster but won't be taking it out of the frame, yet! The front axle and the front bumper are about the only non stock items on my XJ. The axle is out of a older model....one that had the vacuum lines to it. I am only hesitant about replacing it with a HP Dana30 because I don't want to mess up the alignment right now. When I do replace it, I figure the track bar bushings will get replaced and a few other items.

TrailerTrash

I swear I am not promoting a gimmick here.

Mine would randomly feel like it wanted to head for the ditch or to oncoming traffic. I adjusted the steering box but it didnt not fix the random wandering. There was alot of tie rod roll even though everything felt nice and tight with no play in any joints or bushings.
Tie rod roll in action

I bought The Cure from RuffStuff
https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/R2008.html

I didnt buy it right away. I tested the theory by using an Energy Suspension bushing leftover from something or other. I trimmed it to roughly the size of the Cure and it made a huge difference. When I installed the actual Cure it was like night and day.

Not a gimmick, but not a solution to any or all the steering problems an XJ potentially has.

lawsoncl

Before you go messing with the steering box, figure out where the slop is coming from. Crawl under there and look at and feel all the joints and mounts while someone cranks the steering wheel back and forth. Rod ends, trackbar mounts, etc.

Sig220

TrailerTrash, I have seen those before and have never heard a bad thing about them. I ordered one, maybe it will work for me?

lawsoncl, I have crawled under there.......looked, felt and shook the front end and had the wife turn the steering. I will do it again but I don't think anything is loose as the new tires I put on 15K miles ago are still looking new. No indications of anything affecting their wear in a bad way. Usually when a steering component is going bad it rears its ugly head and wears your tires and you don't know about it until you see the tread wear has a problem. In my case, I can feel it, see it wonder and don't have any symptoms with the tires. But I will check it again, while waiting for the "cure" to come in.

Thank you both for your responses!

superj

i think i might try one of those "the cure" also as the wife's Cherokee has too much wander, to me. i feel i have to constantly adjust while driving even with alignments, suspension checks, parts checks, and more alignments. my wife says she doesn't notice it so maybe its because my 2017 Nissan titan has different steering but i don't remember my 87, 95, or either 98 Cherokees feeling this way

i remember reading about "the cure" years ago and never ordering (it for whatever reason).

lawsoncl

I can see that being an issue on the GM 1-ton steering with a lift as shown in the video. It's a poor design where the off-center drag link tries to rotate the tie rod, but the XJ steering isn't setup like that. Are you actually seeing anything rotating like that on a stock XJ setup?

TrailerTrash

You have a valid point. My XJ has steering parts like the one in the video I posted. It has been about 3 years since I dealt with this issue I completely forgot about the parts not being stock. And until now I was not even aware they were different other than being alot heavier It's my only XJ and those steering parts are normal to me.

My apologies to everyone

Sig220

The one (cure) I remember went in between the tie rod and the drag link if I remember correctly. I got one coming and will see how it works out!
Anyway TT, no apology needed for me. If it ever quits raining cats and dogs, I may get to take a closer look at this problem. I drove the XJ today on a 80 mile roundtrip and at 55 on a pretty normal road I had about a inch of play in the steering wheel.

Sig220

In the interest of getting rid of this "problem", I checked the front end again. I think I will replace the tie rod end and the ball joint on the drag link as they seem to have excess freedom of movement!
Then put the cure on between the tie rod and the drag link. I will report back when that is done and the results!

TrailerTrash

I hope you get it sorted out. This type of problem can be quite frustrating.

Sig220

Not frustrated, but it has been nagging at me!

Quick question for those reading......
I have the left tire rod end coming,
the right tire rod end that attaches to the drag link
the tire rod from the drag link to the pitman arm all coming.
Is the ball joint at the end of the drag link where it connects to the right wheel replaceable or do you have to replace the whole drag link?
I think I know the answer (replace drag link) but had to ask. Then I think if I am replacing all this stuff should I upgrade the steering linkage?
If so, what would you go with? Not trying to break the bank here just trying to think ahead.

I figure if I am going after one joint I think is bad, I might as well replace them all and be sure!