alienxj

For around 2 months my steering has been making a click when turning. It started after some hard 4 wheeling (for a stock XJ). The click can happen with a quarter turn of the wheel or sometimes it takes a full turn it varies.

It seemed to be getting worse but recently has just about gone away. I'm not too worried about it but now that I have some money would like to fix it. I can't find much searching except for maybe the u-joint where should I start?

DESERTXJ206

Id reccomend doing the u joints on the front axle. Thats a very common problem.

It can also be loose steering components. Have someone turn the wheels while you get down infront of the jeeo and watch for loose parts or the sounds. Easiest way to see what your front end needs.

ZINGGG

I'd guess the u joints or the frame side of the track bar. Try tightening the crap out of that and see if it makes a difference

00jeepXJ

x2 Take a look at your wheel u joint. Most likely it's that.

dogkatcher

i had 2 of those clicks/pops .. 1 was the drivers side: steering knuckle, tie rod boot .. I put a new boot on, the loud random pop is gone .. boot was collapsed, not holding grease either .. did right side also

next is the center link to steering box tie rod boot .. and the other center link boot .. steer box boot is trashed like the 1 I fixed .. doesnt click too often when cold, but its on the list

also need to check track bar .. looks tight, but may wrench it tighter

I replaced both U-joints up front, so weeded those out .. right side sounded horrible .. like I had a rodent caught in the serp belt .. if the joint is getting real bad, will tick along as you drive .. dont spray wd40 into worn ujoints either .. does not help them, I did that .. replaced it quick, got extremely noisy/loose

tie rod boots are easy with a $10 pickle fork & hammer .. a good addition to tool box, used it more than I thought I would

alienxj

Thanks I'll have someone turn the wheel and look under there. I'll try tightening the trackbar.

How do I tell a u-joint is bad by looking at it?

00jeepXJ

With the wheel u joint I was able to see lots of strange rust coming from the u joint itself. Also look at if there seems to be too much looseness.

alienxj

U-joints seem okay. I tightened trackbar. It was getting pretty bad but It just won't make the sound anymore so i'll revive this thread if it shows up again.