I've search and can't find an answer to my problem. I have a 2001 Cherokee Sport with 130,000 miles. When I turn left or right, I have a slight wobble in the steering wheel....no noise, just a wobble. It does not wobble straight ahead or at high speeds, just in a turn.

Any suggestions as to what might be causing the problem? Is it an easy fix?

Thanks

 

Steering Stabilizer or ball joints

 

ball joints maybe. steering stabilzer def not.

could be bad hubs or ujoints as well. or tie rod ends. get under there and give it all a good shake, see whats loose. have someone turn the wheel back and forth while you look at the front end, see what moves. do that on the ground and with the axle in the air.

 

x2 just get under it and start shaken s**t

 

Does it only do it when you turn tightly or just anytime you turn? Also at what speed are you turning that this happens?

If it is only when you turn tight it is most likely just your axle u-joints reaching their limits, don't turn so sharp.

If it is at any speed then I do not believe that the steering stabilizer is the problem. The steering stabilizer is there to help control bump steer that happens when one tire hits a bump and the other does not and the vehicle wants to swerve to one side or the other.

 

It happens at any speed (usually slow in the turn) and as soon as I turn the wheel. If I'm traveling straight it doesn't wobble, but as soon as I turn the wheel, even slightly, I can feel the wobble.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll get under it tomorrow.

 

first, make sure it's in 2wd.

then check the front wheel bearings. it may also be the ball joints.

 

Will do! Sounds like it could be just about anything up front. I've done a lot of work on cars over the years but never changed out ball joints. How difficult is it?

 

lol someone said steering damper ...

Wheel bearings pressed into your hubs, otherwise ball joints. Do the test, if you don't know how google it.

 

you can borrow the ball joint press from most any auto parts store.
they can be a bit of a pain to do, you have to remove the lower to get the upper out and vise versa to reinstall.
it isn't too bad if you have patience.

 

sounds like the u-joints in the axle to me. when you wheel is straight so are the joints. that's why you don't feel it going straight. worn ball joints would show up as tire wear.

zedpapa

 

yes seized u-joints can make it feel that way too.
you wouldn't know they are seized untill you remove the shafts and try playing with them.

jack up the front end, grab the wheel at 3 and 9 and wiggle to feel for any play.
then using a pry bar, stick that under the wheel and jerk up on it to feel for any up and down play. should be none.

then pull the hubs and remove the shafts. might as well replace the u-joints anyways for the 25 bucks each that they are.

 

My wheel bearing was shot and when I put the new wheel bearing on it quit but it is slightly their and my tires are wearing out badly bad ball joints.

 

Thanks to all for your replies and suggestions. Sounds like have a some work to do!!

 

Any updates on this? Mine just started doing this recently. My steering wheel wobbles back and forth only when turning very slowly.