got a 95zj few months ago first jeep ive ever owned any way the steering wheel has about a quarter turn worth of play in it. ive been trying to figure out what to do to fix it but havent really gotten anywhere been told tons of different stuff but nothing concrete to check or nothing that works. ive checked the all bars/bar ends/tie rods/ball joints they havent been replaced since ive only had truck few months and they all seem good for now. steering gearbox was replaced right before i had purchased it (supossedly) although it was a brand new gear box and or a reclaimed gear box i was told that i could tighten up the gear box and that could help fix it my concern is that tightening it wouldnt help and then tear up the gear box. is there ANYthing i can check or do without having to just start replacing parts, and has anyone had to fix this before?! any help is appreciated!

 

My 93 had the same problem. I had to replace all the control arm bushings in the front end including track bar. That solved the problem. Drives like a new one now. As long as you have it apart you might as well box in the upper and lower arms. This will also help make it a little more rigid and stronger.

 

Yup, welcome to an older vehicle without rack & pinion steering.

 

Make sure the gear box is tightly bolted to the frame. When I got mine, it was loose and causing major slop. Also check for play in the intermediate shaft. They are 2-piece shafts with a vulcanized rubber bushing connecting them. When the vulcanization gives way, it creates about a 1/2" - 1 1/2" "dead spot" in the steering wheel. This can be solved by welding the two shafts in place....


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