Seth Hunt

I have a 96 ZJ limited 5.2 V8 4WD. I am having the strangest problem. When I slow down to turn around corners or park in a parking lot it becomes difficult to turn my steering wheel. The strange part is that the the power steering is fine. It has a brand new power steering pump and hoses and there is no noise that are generated when the wheel is hard to turn. The strangest part of the whole scenario is that the steering problem started immediately after I installed a new alternator.

GreaseMonkey17

StealthyMcStealth

That's a good suggestion. Too much tension could be binding up the pump? Not enough and the pump pulley could be slipping (usually makes noise but not always).

Seth Hunt

It has a brand new automatic belt tensioner and a good serpentine belt. Thanks for the suggestion. Any others ones? Hahaha

dave1123

This may be coincidental to you're having changed the alternator. Lift the front end and see is you can turn the front wheels by grabbing the tires, that is left and right. Of course make sure the steering column isn't locked! There may be binding in the steering box or the pump pressure valve is stuck open reducing the fluid pressure at low speeds. It could also be the steering box o-rings on the servo valve are bypassing fluid.

On my 2000 WJ, after hitting a rock and bending the master steering link, the box started making clicking sounds when turning. I replaced it for that reason.