loose steering/steering wobble

[witt]

i recently went wheelin and well now whenever i hit a bump my steering wheel wobbles back and fourth.... i still track straight but th wheel wobbles back & forth. also recently i upgraded my stock steering dampener to an OME steering stabilizer. i noticed that the rod that connects to the pitman arm is able to move up & down, back & forth about 1/2 of an inch. what do i need to do to tighten my loose steering back up? and for the wobble over bumps is that the cause of the loose steering?

what nutz + bolts do i need to tighten to get me to feel safe in my jeep again? :(

[Lincoln]

Yes the loose steering parts will cause problems. It sounds like you in need of a new drag link if your still using the stock stuff. Otherwise you might be able to just replace the end.

Do a search on "Death Wobble" and you'll find tons of info.

Later,
Lincoln

[Ladeback XJ]

I have had a simular problem. When I checked it out the drop pitman arm was lose. Also if you feeling this when you hit a bump I would say it is bump stear not death wobble.

[witt]

i never said it was death wobble...
but its getting worse i can feel the tires shudder from side to side, the joints are just worn out so my dad's F-250 will be my daily driver for a bit... but good news.. i just baught the currie HD steering

[Goatman]

Originally posted by witt
i noticed that the rod that connects to the pitman arm is able to move up & down, back & forth about 1/2 of an inch. what do i need to do to tighten my loose steering back up? and for the wobble over bumps is that the cause of the loose steering?

what nutz + bolts do i need to tighten to get me to feel safe in my jeep again? :(

It's hard to tell exactly what you're talking about, but you could be referring to the tie rod end at the pitman arm. If that's what has that much play in it, you have a serious problem and should replace that end ASAP.

Everything in the steering linkage should be tight. If you haven't already, look at everything underneath while someone is wiggling the steering wheel back and forth. any joint that has play in it needs to be replaced.

Also, check the bolts on the track bar frame mount. These bolts often come loose and allow that mount to wiggle on the frame, causing loose steering.

[witt]

yea i did that today.. everything was TIGHT... but the draglink wobbles up'n down so.. yea i bypassed replacing i with the whole new steering arm's :)