mud_digger

i have 6.5 coils and 2" spacers, crossover steering, BRAND NEW steering box. and i still have bad clop in my steering. i can have the jeep parked and just running and i can spin the steering shaft from steering wheel to steering box almost like there is play in the box but its brand new. Im also runnin 35's

gpXJ

Which crossover steering do you have? Getting tie rod roll maybe?

mud_digger

rugged ridge

gpXJ

Is it new, or have you been using it for some time and the problem just started?

If new, I have heard the tie rod roll on the passenger knuckle is really bad on that setup. Best suggestion is to get the poly washer like JCR offroad has, and replace the tie rod boot on the passenger knuckle tre. This seems to help a bit.

mud_digger

its newer. but also its not just that cuz I can move steering saft with hand

MallCrawlXJ

there is a nut on the top of the steering box with an allen key in the mid of it. loosen the nut and adjust the allen key. dont turn it too much, maybe an 1/8th at a time, and check your slop after you adjust it each time until you have your desired slop. if you turn it too much, you will have the touchyest steering ever, which can be dangerous.

thats prob all you need to do if all of your steering components are in good shape.

could be tie rod roll contributing too.

kcxj

While turning it with your hand, see if the box shaft is turning with it. If the box shaft isn't turning, then you probably need new steering shaft.

xjfanatic

I would put my money on it being tie rod roll from the rugged ridge kit. I've been running it for 2 years and it had slop from day one. The way it is designed inherently makes it loose. The kit was built for strength not for tight highway cruising. I found that best way to tighten it up is take the tie rod boots off and replace them with a solid rubber bushing, that way the tie rod can't roll as much and is tight against the knuckle. Other than that your best bet is to go back to a solid link from pitman arm to knuckle.

just my .02

mud_digger

yea but I don't even need to be moving and the wheel is kinda sloppy at a sit still

xjfanatic

Exactly...tie rod roll doesn't happen only when your moving. It happens when you move move your steering wheel. Its a design flaw with all kits like that one because the drag link pushed down and pulls up on the tie rod where it's mounted which causes the tie rod to roll back and forth. It's also called a "dead spot" with crossover steering kits.

mud_digger

when I'm sittin still I can turn the steering shaft by hand and the steering box shaft moves as well but the pitman arm side of the box dont move

xj^REMY

mud_digger, did u try this?....have u fixed the steering issue??

i've got a loose steering issue like u've described....i was thinkin to swap out my box completely, till i read that remedy

lolz_jeep

you should check the preload on the sector shaft of the geaar box thats where ur slop is coming from yea actually now i read this, hudfabxj is what im talking about

BuckB91XJ

I think your original problem may have been with your track bar and not your steering at all.

Then, you mentioned that with your NEW steering box you could turn the steering shaft and have the pitman arm not move. That definitely means your new steering box is a lemon. There is adjustment that can be done to an XJ steering box but, buying one new or rebuilt from an autoparts store you should not have to do that.

I'd recommend you take it back. I'd also recommend throwing that rugged ridge HD steering in the nearest ****can. A good friend of mine on this very forum had his rugged ridge HD steering come apart on him as he was driving down the road when it was brand new. Put your stock draglink back on your Jeep and get a tierod from a mid 90s V-8 ZJ. That is all the heavy duty steering you will ever need on an XJ. Also check out your trackbar ends to see if it needs adjusting or if the ball end or bushing end is worn.

xjmarc

What came apart on your buddies cause it's just tube and tie rod ends? Did he use locktight like the mfg says cause it has double jam nuts and if they have locktight on them you will need a torch to get them loose. I ran the JCR version, which is basically the same but you can get it OTK and as long as everything is tight your good. BTW the ZJ tie rod is stronger but bends down and doesn't help with steering angles due to lift and the OP has 8.5".