A few questions about the front end..

[Hellbound13]

So I was under my Jeep trying to pin point where my shaky steering fluid is coming from and have a few questions Im hoping someone can answer for a noob like me..

1. I was able to move two of the bars back and forth with my hand. They pivot. I think they are the sway bars in the front. One is right on top of the other and they pivot when moved by hand. The bend right at the joints by the wheels where the rubber grommets for them are (that house the joints for them I assume) Is this normal or should they not move at all?

2. If a front axel U Joint has a little play in it, can that make the steering shaky when hitting bumps?

3. If you had an axle leaking what would be the location to look and see where it is leaking?

[BirdsFanVa]

1.The Tie rod, runs across to front and the lowest of the bars along with the draglink (above it) both have some play on the JKs. Too much can be a problem.

2. Yes. Play in the ujoints can cause problems and are an iindicator of wear.

3. The first place to look would be in the cups under your ujoints at the end of the axle. If it is really bad, you will see gear oil on the inside of the front tires.

I have about 38k on my 07 and just replaced the ujoints last weekend. I wheel a couple of times a month and the mud and water are evil since the joints have no grease fitings. I also replaced my axle seals.

[Hellbound13]

Originally Posted by BirdsFanVa

1.The Tie rod, runs across to front and the lowest of the bars along with the draglink (above it) both have some play on the JKs. Too much can be a problem.

2. Yes. Play in the ujoints can cause problems and are an iindicator of wear.

3. The first place to look would be in the cups under your ujoints at the end of the axle. If it is really bad, you will see gear oil on the inside of the front tires.

I have about 38k on my 07 and just replaced the ujoints last weekend. I wheel a couple of times a month and the mud and water are evil since the joints have no grease fitings. I also replaced my axle seals.

The bars I can move in the front, move ALOT. They pivot up and down when I move them with my hand. Not lose, but like they are meant to do that. These bars are not supposed to move? One of them is connected to the steering dampener and the other is a little forward and above that.

[Swagger]

This may help identify. Great picture.