I posted this week ago and received no feedback. If you have any idea I would appreciate it.

Two week ago I changed out the track bar and stabilizer to fix the wobble up front on my wife's 99 Cherokee OEM. It felt much better after that. They were replacement parts from advance auto since its my wife's car. It seemed like a week later I get this thump/pop sound when I turn L or R. It loudest backing up up and turning. I figured it was my work coming loose especially since I removed the TB bracket to get the TB off (it was a ***** since it was all rusted out nuts and all. When my wife turned the wheel at a stop (car on) the pop/thump comes (or seems like) I was from the steering box. Is it possible the box is going out or is it the track bar?

Next step? I plan on ordering the TB bracket and have already tighten the bolts I originally toke off (ie the TB, bracket and stab). I visual and physically look at all of it. Nothing seems loose or broken. I look at the steering box and the bolts seem fine.

Ideas?

Will
99 Cherokee

 

could be both but my steering box did just that when it was on its way out and it currently does it in my zj. i know it needs to be replaced just havent had time haha. but yeah double check all the bolts. also check the tracbar mount too.

 

those steering box threads/bolts are known to commonly go bad. Even though you THINK you got those bolts tight wether they were put in with an air gun or ratchet i bet they are still loose and the box is not bottomed out flush agaisnt the steering box brace/frame rail. Mine went in kinda tight, you might want to pull one out at a time and put grease on them . Have your wife shake the wheel back and fourth while you look under the front end and watch the steering box and track bar for any flexing/movement

 

Hi Will, I also replaced my track bar and was suprised how big the hole on the passengers side bushing was (almost 7/16") for the 3/8" bolt. That sloppy hole may be causing the noise you hear. I drilled out the bushing and bracket to allow me to use a grade 8, 7/16" bolt to minimize any play at the connection. I will warn you though, the bushing is pretty hard and you'll need a high quality drill bit (cobalt) to drill the bushing. Even then it was difficult! If I was to do it again I would try to find a cobalt or carbide reamer.

 

all,

I had my wife turn it while I just felt and listen as she turned it. I will re-torque all the bolts I messes with originally. I will tighten steering box.

I thinking about changing the Track bar bracket. Does anyone know of a good one on the cheap. This is the wife Jeep so I don't need a fancy one. I saw one a quadratek, 70 bucks!

Thx

 

I figured out the popping/clunk noise coming from the steering box. I had replaced the TB and stab earlier. In order to do that I had to get the old TB taking off the TB bracket, of course the bracket bolts/nuts were rusted to hell. Long story short, I went and replaced all the all bolt/nuts and re-torque everything from the frame side to the bracket. That solved the popping and clunking noise.