Zack McMahan

Ok so the steering box, tie rod ends, and track bar are all "new" (less than 10,000 miles) on my 95 Cherokee and the steering just doesn't feel right now, its sensitive and if I turn the wheel while going down the road it will stay in a turning position until I bring it back straight. I have tried every adjustment i can on the steering box and it still isn't right. Could I have a bad/worn power steering pump? Or could all the new parts be causing the tightness?

SeriousOffroad

Incorrect caster angle will keep the steering from returning to center.

Bustedback

It's not the pump, it's the steering box. The adjustment is set too tight.

Zack McMahan

The box was adjusted out and it still did this. Is caster even adjustable on it?

Bustedback

The caster is adjustable, but it won't cause the steering to be tight. Have you replaced the ball joints? Bad ball joints or incorrectly install ball joints can cause the steering to be tight and not to self center.

Zack McMahan

i replaced one ball joint but i dont think it was doing this after i did that

tlang

+1 for caster.

The steering is touchy not tight and has no return to center right?

Have your caster checked. Any recent change in control arms or lift height?

Klutch

Did you have the front end aligned after you replaced those components? If not, you should do do. It's possible to align it at home, but it's pretty involved and you have to know what you're doing. Any shop that does alignments can get it to literally laser guided precision for $100 or possibly less.

Zack McMahan

So finally got it fixed, it was a collection of issues, the pitman arm was loose, then I had the steering box adjusted too tight. I have access to an alignment machine so I know the alignment is good. So essentially the steering was tight and loose all at once. Feels so much better now.

Vincenza V

Which adjustment on the steering box was too tight? There are two...

Thank you.

Zack McMahan

I only know of one, the top with the adjustment screw and lock nut, what's the other?

Vincenza V

-Preload
-Overcenter adjustment (I think its called)

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/s...ering-1164443/

Zack McMahan

I have never heard of of doing a preload adjustment, looks and sounds like something that is done on a rebuilt box, meaning that the preload is a factory spec and that you should not need to do it on your own box, unless you are trying to avoid getting a new/reman one, I just did the over center one.