Jeep Cherokee Forum - Steering return to center issue

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fitrider82

09-27-2018 11:56 PM

Steering return to center issue

Hi XJ crew

im having an issue with my steering failing to return to center on my ‘93 XJ. There’s also quite a bit of play from 10-2 on the steering wheel if I move the wheel quickly. If I move it slowly it seems to engage and steer as it should. When I’m in a corner the wheel gets stuck and requires my help to return to center.

Heres what ive done:
Moog ball joints, all tie rods, track bar, reman steering box, an alignment immediately after, steering stabilizer is not blown out or stiff and moves as it should.

Ill be attempting to adjust the steering box hex key tomorrow.

Was hoping to get some of your input before overthinking.

TIA,
Mike

tech	09-28-2018 04:41 AM

What are the alignment numbers the other thing you can check is take off the tie rods and see if the ball joints move free , but it sounds like you may have got a bad steering box .

00t444e

09-28-2018 05:40 AM

A bad u-jont can cause it not to return to center.

cruiser54

09-28-2018 06:54 AM

Most reman boxes are junk.

LOOK under the Jeep at the steering components while someone turns the steering wheel back and forth. You'll surely see where the slop is.

tinytrax78

09-28-2018 06:56 AM

sounds like when I first lifted mine and the caster was way off I had no return to center and was real twitchy at highway speeds I fixed mine with adj control arms

cruiser54

09-28-2018 07:02 AM

Keep in mind the fast movement of the steering wheel and lots of travel from 10 til 2 sometimes...

That ain't alignment.

tinytrax78

09-28-2018 07:24 AM

do not adjust the hex key you speak of ......it does not work like that

fitrider82

09-28-2018 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00t444e (Post 3517505)

A bad u-jont can cause it not to return to center.

this is what I was thinking, either in the steering linkage or the axles. When I had axles out they were flopping about just fine and didn’t seem seized but I will inspect closer.

fitrider82

09-28-2018 10:03 AM

The slop definitely lies in the steering shaft, ordered a replacement, can’t wait to have tight steering again.

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