Weird steering issue.
#1
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Location: Illinois
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0
Weird steering issue.
played in a little mud the other day, and Now I have an issue with my steering.
When I make a turn in a neighborhood the steering wheel jerks back and forth. I can physically feel the steering wheel pushing back the opposite way. It feels like it is coming from the driver side front tire no matter which way I turn. If I am going straight I can let go of the wheel and everything stays. Long turns are not a problem, and most of the time it does not happen when I am going above about 15mph. This also only happens at about a quarter turn on the wheel, and it is not as bad in reverse.
I lifted the front Up, nothing is loose or looks bent. There are zero noises when this happens. The hub assembly seems fine. I thought maybe I slipped a belt in the tire, but I didn't spin the wheels hardly at all (actually didn't realize I wasn't in 4wd until I got stuck, put it in 4H and climbed right out without even trying hard). Plus it only happens in very specific circumstances. I figured putting a load on the tire any time, I would notice it.
It almost feels like 4wd is still enaged on dry ground, but only on the drivers side. I can spin the wheel by hand when its jacked up and everything seems to be spinning freely, the driveshaft spins. Also, I don't get the feeling of 4wd EXCEPT under these specific conditions.
A buddy proposed that the power steering pump may be sending pressure the wrong way, or that their are air in the lines.
Is it possible the alignment is just off? I didn't hit anything, and it wasn't very thick mud, but I supposed its possible.
Only mods are 3.5" lift, and 31" tires. It is not rubbing.
Any thing else that would help diagnose it?
When I make a turn in a neighborhood the steering wheel jerks back and forth. I can physically feel the steering wheel pushing back the opposite way. It feels like it is coming from the driver side front tire no matter which way I turn. If I am going straight I can let go of the wheel and everything stays. Long turns are not a problem, and most of the time it does not happen when I am going above about 15mph. This also only happens at about a quarter turn on the wheel, and it is not as bad in reverse.
I lifted the front Up, nothing is loose or looks bent. There are zero noises when this happens. The hub assembly seems fine. I thought maybe I slipped a belt in the tire, but I didn't spin the wheels hardly at all (actually didn't realize I wasn't in 4wd until I got stuck, put it in 4H and climbed right out without even trying hard). Plus it only happens in very specific circumstances. I figured putting a load on the tire any time, I would notice it.
It almost feels like 4wd is still enaged on dry ground, but only on the drivers side. I can spin the wheel by hand when its jacked up and everything seems to be spinning freely, the driveshaft spins. Also, I don't get the feeling of 4wd EXCEPT under these specific conditions.
A buddy proposed that the power steering pump may be sending pressure the wrong way, or that their are air in the lines.
Is it possible the alignment is just off? I didn't hit anything, and it wasn't very thick mud, but I supposed its possible.
Only mods are 3.5" lift, and 31" tires. It is not rubbing.
Any thing else that would help diagnose it?
#5
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Year: 1998
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Fluid is good. I think it may be the caliper. The wheel gets stuck depending on how much I turn it, and the caliper seems loose, even though the bolts are tightened.
Last edited by ShadowWalker; 05-05-2013 at 05:44 PM.
#7
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Year: 1998
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I took the wheel off and spun it by hand with the wheel turned to different spots. It would hang up on the pads in some places. I took the caliper and rotor off and everything spun free.
I tried cleaning up the contact points for the brake pads and it helped a little but the problem is still there. I am going to toss a new caliper on tomorrow. I will be very happy if my problem is a $20 caliper.
I tried cleaning up the contact points for the brake pads and it helped a little but the problem is still there. I am going to toss a new caliper on tomorrow. I will be very happy if my problem is a $20 caliper.
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