Installed a 4.5 lift and took the jeep to get an alignment. About a week later I started getting a clank or popping sound in the front end when turning. Upon further investigation it's not u joints or ball joints but the sound comes from the steering near the steering gear box. Parked the jeep and had my dad turn the steering wheel left and right and that's when it makes the noises. Any ideas.I'm running a stock pitman arm no changes done to steering.

 

Any leaks? Could be your steering box it self. But make sure the bolts holding it to the frame are tight

 

^x2.
sounds like your having issues at the frame rail where the gear bolts to "frame". I wouldn't expect the gear itself to have any popping noises, almost the only thing it can be

 

Check steering box bolts and track bar bolts. I was getting the same noises and turned out to be a loose frame side track bar bracket bolt.

 

Same noise on mine currently but only when I hit bumps, pretty sure that mine is the track bar bracket though. Something to check any way!

 

awesome Thread, have the same thing happening, gonna have to check all the nuts and bolts tomorrow! thanks guys!

 

Make sure everything is greased too

 

Don't know if this was directed at me also but I noticed it after I greased every zerk I could find lol... I'm guessing this is one of those "jeep problems" that every one talks about

 

Best advice so far.

Tighten those bolts. Don't just look at them.