Ok, just finished replacing the entire tie rod assembly (from pitman arm to steering arm). Took it out for a test drive and need an alignment (no surprise) but during a slow sharp turn it feels like the wheel to the outside of the turn wants to "jump". That's the best way I can describe it. I checked everything again to make sure it was all tight and it was. Do I need to go back and re-adjust the tie rod end location (more or less threads)? If so does it just become a guessing game?

I'm going to get an alignment tomorrow anyway. Is this something they can take care of fairly easily?

Just as FYI I keep having a singular pop at very low speed braking and went to inspect everything and noticed the tie rod end joints were basically busted. Replacing the tie rods did not stop the pop so still frustrated about that.

Thanks for any help.

 

I'm sorry nobody got back to you. Kinda' rude, actually. An alignment should take care of the steering. The "pop" has me stumped also. It's possible you have a sticking caliper that hangs up on soft braking. Check the bushings and boots for ease of movement.

As far as the wobble, I'm assuming you have CV axle joints? This problem is standard for u-joints when in 4WD. CV joints not so much. It's possible they've lost their grease and are worn out.

 

I got a pop too. Coming from my driver front

 

I have quadradrive so its all time 4wd (yay me). The odd thing is that the pop usually only happens the first time I brake after cranking it. I know its coming from the front passenger side but I can feel it through the whole floor board. When I took the wheel off I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary except for the draw bar tie rod ends which I replaced.

The alignment did cure all of the other issues.

I can't get the pop to be consistent even on a down hill grade. Very frustrating.

 

I have a 1998 ZJ Limited -

During slow speed ( parking lot ) sharp ( full steering lock ) turning I also get some jumping from the front. Sometimes I can even get a tire to 'chirp'... but not much and I was told it was 'normal'.

I had both side CV/Axle shafts replaced and still would get that.

After all how much turning do we do at full steering lock. ( wheel turned completely to one side or the other. )

On some other Cherokees ( ZJ and XJ ) I have had a 'pop' once in a while from a brake. Whenever that occurred I would take it out, run and brake hard a few times to feel it out and to be honest see if anything would break. The 'pop' I never found a real source for, it was more an aggravation then anything else.