Project 'Hole in the Pocket'
#1036
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 5
From: Hudson, FL
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
Not helping with your current problem at all, but I've been reading over your thread the past couple days after work and I have to say, it's inspiring. you work through everything so diligently and you really take pride in your jeep - beautiful xj, i hope to have mine looking almost as nice as yours one day!
#1037
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 5
From: Hudson, FL
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
Check your intermediate shaft. I just remedied this problem in mine. Any time I turned the wheel - especially when the jeep was cold - there was a "dead space" in which the steering wheel would move but do nothing. It literally felt like I was turning the steering wheel and nothing else for about a 1.5-2" lateral movement of my hand.
The intermediate shaft has a rubber vibration dampener that is vulcanized to the two sections of the shaft. When the vulcanization breaks free, there is a lot of slop in the steering wheel.
The intermediate shaft has a rubber vibration dampener that is vulcanized to the two sections of the shaft. When the vulcanization breaks free, there is a lot of slop in the steering wheel.
I just replaced the power steering fluid yesterday. I hope that'll help a bit with some of the weird power steering issues.
#1038
No, I don't lick fish.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,167
Likes: 21
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
If it's not the intermediate shaft, and it doesn't have DW, the only two things I can thing of that would cause that is a bad TRE at the Pitman arm or a worn out gearbox. Pretty much any other worn steering component beyond that and you'd be getting DW for sure... especially with as lifted as yours is. I'm still dealing with it in mine because I'm having to save up for the repair parts.
#1039
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 5
From: Hudson, FL
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
If it's not the intermediate shaft, and it doesn't have DW, the only two things I can thing of that would cause that is a bad TRE at the Pitman arm or a worn out gearbox. Pretty much any other worn steering component beyond that and you'd be getting DW for sure... especially with as lifted as yours is. I'm still dealing with it in mine because I'm having to save up for the repair parts.
The pitman arm is brand new. That leaves the steering box, which I also know to be a good box. Hmm...
#1040
No, I don't lick fish.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,167
Likes: 21
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Honestly man, I still suspect your gear box. Even if it's brand new, there's always a possibility of a manufacturer defect. There's slop somewhere in a steering system with a limited number of possibilities.
I did just think of one more thing though... well two things actually.
1) Make sure the bolts for the steering gearbox are tight. When I got my jeep, they were loose - as if someone attempted to remove the box and changed their mind midway through.
2) Beyond that, you may want to consider a steering box brace - the additional leverage of larger tires and lift are fighting against your stock steering gear. Bracing the box will stiffen things up for ya. http://kevinsoffroad.com/wp2/product...owdercoated-2/
On another note - did you leave Trailmonkeys? I tried to tag you in a post on it and it wouldn't let me.
#1041
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 5
From: Hudson, FL
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
Yeah that's what I meant – the tie rod at the pitman arm is new. lol
I have considered a steering box brace, but don't they bolt up at the same place as my unibody tie-in brackets for my bumper? I've always thought it would lead to incompatibilities.
I'm not particularly a part of FB anymore because the constant notifications on my phone are annoying, so I've backed off haha.
I have considered a steering box brace, but don't they bolt up at the same place as my unibody tie-in brackets for my bumper? I've always thought it would lead to incompatibilities.
I'm not particularly a part of FB anymore because the constant notifications on my phone are annoying, so I've backed off haha.
#1042
Yeah that's what I meant – the tie rod at the pitman arm is new. lol I have considered a steering box brace, but don't they bolt up at the same place as my unibody tie-in brackets for my bumper? I've always thought it would lead to incompatibilities. I'm not particularly a part of FB anymore because the constant notifications on my phone are annoying, so I've backed off haha.
http://www.boostwerksengineering.com...Brace_p_8.html
#1043
No, I don't lick fish.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,167
Likes: 21
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
what about boostwerks' ultimate brace?
http://www.boostwerksengineering.com...Brace_p_8.html
http://www.boostwerksengineering.com...Brace_p_8.html
Honestly man, I don't really know what else to tell ya. If all the links are good, the steering box is good, and your intermediate shaft is good, it should track fine. Now if your TOW is set incorrectly it can cause your jeep to wander, but that's only when the front tires hit abnormalities in the pavement... like ruts in the pavement from semis, or even striping, water will make it do it too. Answer to that is to tow IN a little more.
#1044
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 5
From: Hudson, FL
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
I'll be checking my intermediate shaft and alignment then thanks for the suggestions!
As for that steering brace, I really love it, but ouch that price! The only thing is I'm not sure it would allow me to use my sway bar and disconnects, which I think are heavily important for body roll on roads.
As for that steering brace, I really love it, but ouch that price! The only thing is I'm not sure it would allow me to use my sway bar and disconnects, which I think are heavily important for body roll on roads.
#1045
I'll be checking my intermediate shaft and alignment then thanks for the suggestions! As for that steering brace, I really love it, but ouch that price! The only thing is I'm not sure it would allow me to use my sway bar and disconnects, which I think are heavily important for body roll on roads.
There's a diy version that u can weld up yourself
#1046
No, I don't lick fish.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,167
Likes: 21
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I think I found the answer to your problem man....
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/R2008.html
Mounts on the TRE at the pitman arm. Lots of good reviews on it and it's made by Ruff Stuff which is a great company. For 20 bucks ya can't really go wrong.
http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/R2008.html
Mounts on the TRE at the pitman arm. Lots of good reviews on it and it's made by Ruff Stuff which is a great company. For 20 bucks ya can't really go wrong.
#1049
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 5
From: Hudson, FL
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6