After some light off roading a few weekends ago my XJ has what I would call a "clunking" noise whenever the steering wheel is turned left or right. Seems to be louder when turning the wheel right. Sometimes the noise sounds as though it is in the steering column but most the time the noise sounds like it is coming from the passenger side. Couldn't find anything obviously broken or loose. Any help would be great as it seems to be getting worse.

 

I have the same problem I think it is a u-joint by the front wheels. I havent looked into it but it was mentioned in someones build.

 

Are you saying it clunks as you are moving the steering wheel or that it starts making a clunking noise the whole time the wheels are in a turn?

 

check the steering box, steering u-joint, idler and pitment arm, tie rods and all that stuff.. have someone turn your steering wheel right to left rapidly. then go under and listen. if its a steering u-joint and its on the verge of breaking then its somewhat urgent bc if it does break, then you wont be able to steer at all.

 

How is a broken knuckle U-joint going to make a Jeep not steer?? I've driven my Jeep before with the inner axle shafts completely removed. As long as the outer stub shafts are through the hubs with the big axle nut on tight, you can drive it like that as far or as long as you need to.

 

some time back, this very subject was brought up, and if I remember correctly, the first thing to tackle, is to go through and tighten all nuts and bolts that have to do with steering. steering box bolts apparently will loosen up, as do the track bar mounting bracket bolts and nuts. If this doesn't do it, the track bar mounting bracket may have holes that are elongated, and a short weld on the bracket to the frame will hopefully stop the annoying clunk. worth a try, anyway. let us know how it turns out. good luck

 

Only when I turn the wheel. I can saw the wheel like you would mudding and the sound is present. I hear it the loudest on slow short turns but it can still be heard at faster speeds and on longer turns. My lady friend described it as a "popping" sound.

Thanks for the responses guys. It's been raining quite a bit where I live so when I get a chance to get underneath the Jeep and take a look I will let you all know.

 

mine sounds the same way and its the steering box.

 

Call me slow..."Only when I turn the wheel." and "most the time the noise sounds like it is coming from the passenger side" .........

If you mean, /only when I have the wheel turned/, it sounds like a plane old U-joint. (or a 97 might have CV joints?). Might do that worse while in 4WD.


If it's, /only while I'm turning the wheel/, then yea, something in the searing that might make noise even while parked.

 

track bar bushing. prolly axle end.
but check both ends.

 

It is only when I'm turning the wheel.

I will check those items as well, thank you.

 

So my buddy is coming over tomorrow to help me figure this all out but one thing I have noticed is the back of the passenger side tie rod is rubbing against the back of the bolt for the steering stabilizer...this wasn't a problem when I first got the Jeep so any idea of what I bent or what happened? Solution to the problem...please help

 

I think the tie rod is bent but it is hard to tell...wondering if the drag link might be bent too. Any thoughts?

 

a picture says 1000 words...

 

Good point, its already starting to get dark here so I will post some tomorrow.