1998 xj. So I've developed a creak/popping while turning sharp turns at low speeds (like driving in a parking lot). I've looked while someone turned the wheel and it was coming from the steering box and steering shaft area. I replaced the steering box with a new refurb one, put on a welded metal spacer with grade 8 bolts, made sure trac bar was tight, re-seated coil springs, greased ball joints and tre's and of course put new power steering fluid in. There is no noticeable movement when the wheel is turned but I swear the sound is coming from the steering shaft.

Is there any joint that can or needs to be greased in the steering shaft??? It is a dry pupping noise as if something needs grease..

 

There is a plastic filled isolator in the steering shaft. When it starts to deteriorate you'll get a pop when you turn, sometimes you can feel it in the wheel. The fix is to replace the shaft.

 

Alright thanks ill do a close inspection of the shaft today.

 

On my jeep. Lol.

 

Fix: spray wd40 and clean the mud off the hemi joint on my rubicon express track bar. Haha I reseated my coils and replaced my steering box when all I needed was a squirt of wd40 oh well. Such is the jeep life.

 

At least the fix was cheap, lol.