Steering Issue

dmoore714

Active Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Location
Americus, GA
I have a problem with the steering on my 94 XJ. Driving in a straight line, its fine. But when you turn the wheel (either direction) its extremely tight for a quarter turn. Then it gives way to a soft spot. Keep turning and it gets tight again.

I'm new to Jeeps, and I've never done anything with steering on any vehicle... so Im not sure where to start. The fluid level looks okay. What else could it be?
 
After talking to some guys on 4x4grace, it sounds like a previous owner may have over-tightened the adjustment screw on my steering box. They suggested replacing the box ASAP. Found a spare out of a 97 for cheap. I'll put it in sometime in the next few weeks. Hope that solves my problem.
 
Also make sure that the joints are in good shape on the steering shaft. I'm not 100% sure how the XJ shafts are setup but if you have a bad angle it will do the same thing. I'd back off that adjustment screw a half turn and see what happens.
 
I've had that happen to me on a YJ and it turned out to be a rusted joint on my steering shaft. A few shots of PB Blaster and a few light taps with a hammer and all was good!!!
 
I worked on the steering issue last week. It took almost 4 hours just to get the old steering box off (including 2 trips to Advance). Had to drop the sway bar to get access from the bottom, and remove the airbox to get access to the top. Just removing the old box took almost 4 hours.

Once we got the box off I realized y'all were right. The joint on the box end of the steering shaft was frozen. It would turn left-right but wouldn't budge up-down. That explains why the steering was stiff every quarter turn.

We took the old shaft off and worked on it for a little while. Couldn't get it to move. Took a quick trip to the new Pull-a-Part in Winston Salem and came home with a newer/better shaft (along with some other things).

We have it put back together now, with my scavenged box and shaft. I bought some new lines too. Just need to plumb the system and refill the reservoir and I'm back on the road. Thanks for the advice.
 
And where would said "pull-a-part" be in Winston?
 
I know what you mean about taking time to get the old box off.
I just did an OEM to AGR SB2 swap today. Last step is the steering shaft. My Flaming River shaft is seized up.
Since my YJ can handle just fine without the sway bar, I may not even put it back.
Hopefully no rain the next week or so because my only wheels to work is my Buell. But I have a rain suit so no biggy if it does rain.
 
Back
Top