XJJeeper79

Hey guys, having a tough time with this one. Had a really bad wandering problem recently. So I started replacing parts,
4 ball joints
4 tie rods including steering linkage
alignment
track bar
2 new ujoints


when I replaced the track bar I noticed the holes were a little elongated so I drilled them out and used a larger grade 8 bolt, nut and washers and tightened her down really tight. That helped a lot. I was looking today while someone was turning the wheel back and forth and noticed that the bolt was not shifting but the track bar would move side to side at the axle end. I am wondering how much play there should be in that rubber bushing I was assuming a little bit since it is a rubber bushing but not sure if maybe I mucked it up while drilling out the metal in the center of it to allow the bigger bolt to pass through it, which it does now but it was pretty snug when I was trying to get it in. I used a 7/16 drill bit to get a bolt with 7/16 diameter in so I don't think the play is between the bolt and that metal center, it looks like it is all coming from the bushing itself.

Any thoughts or ideas are welcome and appreciated.

Larry's XJ

You would think an alignment shop would do an inspection before.
I would think the "normal" deflection would be undetectable with the naked eye. Therefore, if you can see it, it's probably worn out.

JamromXJ

You will have flex to the front end. It's all rubber in just about all critical connection points. Rubber flexes to absorb shock. My front end is all new, everything top and bottom. When I turn the wheel everything moves a little.

It's not a Porche, it's designed to flex.