2000 xj. 3 inch lift. Stock trac bar. Aligned a few months ago. New 31's about 2 weeks ago.
Just finished a 2000 mile journey from WYoming to Oregon coast and back. At some point while driving in the night my steering wheel wound up facing the 3 oclock position to the right and has been sitting there since. Whenever the wind would blow there was too much play and I had both hands on the wheel fighting to keep control. I didnt hit anything catastrophic that would have caused a bend to my knowledge, just windy, fast coastal roads and i-84 at 75mph for a long time. Is this my steering box? Or maybe align again because of the new tires? IDk. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

 

Something moved,your mission should you choose to accept it, is to find out what.

 

The drag link is what controls the position of the steering wheel. I would check to see if the adjustment has come loose especially if you had a recent alignment.

 

You lifted it and changed the steering geometry. Drag link needs to be lengthened. Might want to take it for an alignment unless you get tires for free.

 

I think he is saying it moved from one day to the next. If thats the case something is bending or coming loose. He also says he had it aligned and I assume it was fine for a while after that.

 

Better go have it professionally checked.

Loose/worn components under there can be disastrous. Check the steering box and the steering shaft, too.

Just to be sure.

 

Even worse, loose components.

 

Your track bar shifting around while driving will cause the same thing.

With the engine off, key on turn the wheels back and forth as hard as you can. Listen for popping noises.

I bet your frame side track bar mount is loose and moving around.