Steering "pop" troubleshooting

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Black Magic XJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Whitehall, MI

• Feb 2, 2008

• #1

My XJ has developed a "pop" in my steering. Happens when I turn the wheel either left or right a little. Doesn't need to be set at center, in other words, I could have the steering all the way to the right and turn left a little and "pop". Go back to the right again, "pop". Almost feels like it is coming from the firewall area? Also, seems to be a rattle associated with this as I go down the road... mainly hear the rattle when heading straight ahead... a slight turn seems to make it dampen or go away completely. Will still pop when in motion, though.

In park I opened the hood and looked around at the steering wheel shaft leading to the steering box and turned the steering wheel side to side, but didn't notice a hangup in the movement. Been a pain to troubleshoot.
Ideas? Thanks.

Dave

 

Last edited: Feb 2, 2008

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rhino317

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Oklahoma City

• Feb 2, 2008

• #2

my track bar bushing needed replaced when i had a pop when i turned the steering wheel back and forth.

 

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Black Magic XJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Whitehall, MI

• Feb 2, 2008

• #3

Hmm... mine is less than a year old. I'll check that though

 

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rhino317

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Oklahoma City

• Feb 2, 2008

• #4

mine was about 10 months old. it was a RE too.

 

soxyfarmer

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Oakland

• Feb 2, 2008

• #5

Mine made a similar pop when the trackbar mount was a little loose. It took a minor turn of one of the nuts and it went away. It drove me crazy until I found it.

 

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aaronsxj

NAXJA Forum User

Location

n.idaho

• Feb 2, 2008

• #6

when i had a popping sound in my front end i discovered my frame under my steering box had a little crack in it and one of the washers on the steering box bolt was broken. i then replaced the bolt, nut, and washer, and that tightened it up. noise went away, should've welded the crack but ended up getting rid of the jeep