Sideways steering???

[d10shun]

Everytime I go wheeling and hit the asphalt, my steering wheel gets more and more jacked up. My wheels want to go right and to counter this my steering wheel must go left. I just wheeled Chivo Falls, Tucson (awesome trail!) and now my steering is turned 90 degrees to the left when I am traveling straight. What is slipping? My steering box gears? Pitman? Should I just remove the pitman and place it back on in the straight position?

[8Mud]

IŽd check the trac bar, top joint for play. Could be other steering parts causing this problem, but the trac bar, often seems to be much of the problem. Twice a year (at least) I have buddy turn the steering wheel, left and right (a couple of inches), repeatadly and have a close look (with a flashlight) at every joint. Very little play a certain places, can translate into a lot of play, at the steering wheel. And cause your Jeep to wander some.

[1986xj]

I'm sure you would have checked by now but have you checked to make sure the steering box isn't tearing itself off? Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Mike B.

[d10shun]

Yes, my trac bar is always loose! I tighten it every other week. It came the the procomp lift that's on my rig. Right after I tighten and turn while driving I hear it CLANG as if it is binding. I was going to post this as another thread. Is this a separate problem?

I have not looked at my box yet; I just got home this evening. I am looking into a steering box brace though.

[Handlebars]

Look for cracks here:





The jury is out on the steering box brace. You can see my Rusty's brace in the photo that was installed for 2 years up until the time the frame cracked. Some guys have never run a brace and have not had problems with cracks. I think you are screwed either way, just have the frame reinforced now 'cause you will have to do it eventually.

[d10shun]

My frame is not cracked and all the bolts are tight. I noticed a creaking noise when I turn left hard. Are these the worm gears or whatever is inside slipping? Do I need a new box and if so what type should I get?

[Ralph]

Bent tie rod? Loose adjusting sleeve/s on tie rod?

RR3

[XJJPR]

Actually, you are bending the drag link. The big bend in it will bend which will make the steering wheel different each time you wheel it.

You might want to put a newer year one on it, if you have an older XJ, or upgrade to a Currie HD steering one.

mark

[d10shun]

Okay, I might have found the prob but I am not sure. My drag link did take a hit. It is not straight - it has a bend in it on the last 8-10 inches or so on the passenger side along with a scrape from a rock. The bend is towards the rear of the truck. Is this normal or a self inflicted wound? Any stock pictures out there?
Ben