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Steering Issues

I have a 97 4.0 Wrangler with a 4 inch suspension lift and a 2 inch body lift. It has had a little play in the steering since I acquired it, but the play is significantly more pronounced within the last week. Another issue that has also occurred in the last week is that when turning to the left, I can only crank the wheel about 2/3 of the way. The wheel is not hitting the stop, but I can't crank it any further. I still appear to have the full turning radius on the right hand side. I noticed the problem when making a u-turn.

While someone was turning the wheel, I got underneath the Jeep and everything appeared to look tight to the steering box. I am guessing my steering box is shot, but wanted to see if anyone had another diagnosis before going down that path.

Thanks

Reply to
ethanjones
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First of all, what size rubber do you have on it? Big tires throw around the steering components like they're not there. Secondly, I'd get rid of the 2" body lift. I hate body lifts period, but if you have to have one,

1" is plenty. It won't affect your current issue, but I'm throwing in my opinion 'cause I can. ;)

Sounds like your steering wheel might be 360 deg. out. Adjust your drag link to give it the same number of turns per side. Check your tire balance then re-check it. Check your trackbar and tierod for play, with the front end off the ground. Check the torque on these. Once everything is perfect, you might try a new steering stabilizer, but if you do that first, you may just mask all of the other issues.

Who did your lift? A poorly adjusted drag link is a rookie mistake.

tw _____________________________________________________________________

2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 > I have a 97 4.0 Wrangler with a 4 inch suspension lift and a 2 inch

Reply to
twaldron

Assuming your steering shaft between the steering wheel and the box is OK, that would be my guess as well. Don't drive it until you get it fixed.

Reply to
Matt Macchiarolo

Check to be sure that the steering box is tightly bolted down. I had one start to come loose on a Dodge Dart once. It made handling downright weird, but after we got an air wrench to tighten things up, everything was fine until the car was destroyed a few years later by an uninsured driver.

Best Regards,

DAve

Matt Macchiarolo wrote:

Reply to
DaveW

Dodge Dart is from an era, when steering boxes were made out of real metal. I wouldn't take an air wrench to one today. A torque wrench and thread locker would be better.

Earle

Reply to
Earle Horton

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