50.Cal

I have a 96 ZJ 5.2L. I have creeking while I turn. It doesnt clunk, just kind of a creeking noice. I jacked up the front end and did the ball joints test and they are fine. My tie rods are also new. I can feel it kind of vibrate a bit under my feet while im driving which makes me think its the steering shaft? If thats the case do I replace the shaft? Or, what else could it be? Thanks!

00t444e

It could be the front axle CV or U-joints.

dave1123

The front end of my WJ creaked when turning and it turned out the lower ball joints were bad. They seemed fine when jacked up, but with the weight on the ground, the axle horn was resting on the steering knuckle and rubbing metal-to-metal. There should be NO vertical movement in the joint. Use a pry bar to lift the wheel after being jacked up and watch the joint. NOTE: the upper joints do have motion in them to compensate for temperature changes and lower joint wear.

BlueRidgeMark

Just be glad it's not rivering.

50.Cal

I'm on it. I'm going to check that first thing tomorrow. Thanks!

jon-d

is your track bar mount bolted to the frame? check those as well.

dave1123

What's this "rivering" of which you speak?

BlueRidgeMark

It's a bigger problem than creeking, in the same way that rivers are bigger than creeks.

dave1123

Oh, I get it! A pun on the misspelling. You can't expect too much from today's education system, can you?

BlueRidgeMark

Not. The current political scene confirms it, too.