Hey everyone. First time posting here, so bear with me if I violate any of the standards... I've never really been a forum guy before, but I'm finding out how incredibly helpful it can be.

I've got a 99 XJ Classic. Disclaimer, I bought it with almost all of the work already done (I've only owned it a few months) so I can't speak for the lineage of any of the mods. As part of the lift (6" sky jacker), an adjustable track bar was installed. I don't know how long ago.

Anyway, I'm getting a steering pop when I turn, but only in wet conditions. It will pop the first time I turn a given direction, and then it doesn't pop again until I turn the other way, if that makes sense. I checked the track bar for an abnormal amount of movement, and while it moves when I get under and yank on it, it's only a few millimeters. Nothing that seems out of the ordinary.

I know track bars are an issue. I've replaced it in every XJ I've ever owned. But I wanted to see if it might be something else before I go and do it again. Anyway, it just seemed weird that it only happens in the rain.

 

Adjust the track bar so there is no play. I'm not sure if that is the issue, but it could be causing your entire axle to shift a few mm back and forth, which isn't good for any steering/suspension component.
Have you had someone turn back and forth while you are looking (obviously at a stand still, I don't reccomend hanging from the bottom while in motion)?
And...welcome to the forum!!!

 

Jay, thanks. No, I haven't had a chance to take a look yet. I noticed the pop a month or two ago, but didn't put two and two together with the rain until yesterday, when we got our first wet weather in quite a while. Not sure why rain would cause that.

I have noticed that it seems like maybe there's a bit more play in the steering wheel than is normal, but it's hard to tell. Cherokee steering (especially with an older lift kit like mine has) can be pretty sloppy anyway. Not sure if the track bar is causing that.

I'm considering replacing the lift with a new one and hopefully curing some of these issues. Never gone from one lift kit to another before though (only stock to lift), so I'm a little intimidated. Never know what kludged together stuff you might find under there.

 

I had the same issue but mine did it whether it rained or not. Just fixed it yesterday. Mine turned out to be that the bolt hole on the axle side of the track bar was wallowed out. So when I turned, the bolt would pop to each side of the wallowed out hole. Unbolt your axle side of the track bar and look and see if the hole is wallowed, if the bolt is to small and has a lot of play, then you got to upgrade to a larger bolt or weld a washer that is the same size as the old bolt.

 

Good idea, thanks. I'll get under there this afternoon and see if it's the bolt hole. Still not sure why it would only do it when wet, though. I'm really puzzled, but it's definitely wetness-related.

I wouldn't think a little water would act as enough lubrication to cause slippage in some component that wouldn't also slip in dry conditions. But who knows?

 

I could see how when it is wet the lower traction could allow the axle to shift more rapidly and cause the pop. When dry it is probably still shifting but not as abruptly. Just guessing but makes sense to me.

 

yea, that's what I was thinkin, maybe the water gives it the lubrication to move. I ended up upgrading mine to a 7/16 bolt. And installed a poly bushing that was already made for a 7/16 bolt so I didn't have to drill out the old bushing sleeve.

 

I need to take it off anyway so I can adjust it. My front axle is slightly off-center. Might as well check the bolt hole (or just replace the whole frigging thing) while I'm at it.

 

if the axle bolt hole is wallowed out, replacing the track bar won't help. Make sure you check the axle bolt hole, not the track bar, I guess you check the track bar as well, but mainly check the axle side.

 

Ah, gotcha. I misunderstood. Thought you meant the bolt hole through the end of the track bar. I read too fast.