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Lose steering issue

2K views 16 replies 6 participants last post by  DickDickle 
#1 ·
I have a 1998 Grand Cherokee with a 2 inch lift and 265/70/16 tires. This is the first Jeep I have owned and the steering on it seems to be really lose. When I drive is snow or slush it will actually throw me all over the road. Just curious what I should be looking for to fix? Steering stabalizer? Steering box going bad? Any info would be great.

Thanks
 
#2 ·
Get someone you trust to get behind the wheel and shake it back and forth. While they do that, look under the hood at the steering shaft and box, and at the steering linkage between the box and axle. it should be fairly obvious where your play is after that.
 
#3 ·
If you dont find any play in your steering linkages you can tighten your steering box up. Tighting your steering box will do nothing if you have play in your tie rod ends. There is an allen head screw on top of the steering box. Turn it a 1/4 way in and drive it. If its good then your done if not do another 1/4 turn. If you cant adjust it any more and there is still play. Time for a new steering box.
 
#7 ·
I had the same problem. Finally put in a new box and it was a whole lot better. Still not perfect but definitely better. I'm convinced it's either my steering on my axle or just that fact that it's lifted and pushing 33s and it will never be perfect
 
#8 ·
Lot of times its worn out tie rod ends, and/or the steering geometry. On my YJ im running the stock 1993 steering box, no stabilizer, pushing 37's at 70mph on the freeway no pulling, bump steer, sloppy or touchy steering. So just cause your lifted doesn't mean you have to settle for ok steering you can get it perfect. When I start building my ZJ here in the next month ill be putting the same set up under it as the YJ has. Using the Teraflex knuckle, 1.50 .250 wall DOM tube for drag link and tie rod. I dont use normal tie rod ends I use rod ends.
 
#15 ·
I just bought another ZJ, the front end wasnt set up right and im having the same loose steering issues. While inspecting the front end I noticed that the castor was set almost straight up and down about positive 2 degrees. On my set up I believe this to be the reason for loose steering. Castor should be around 4.5 degrees negative. Just something you can check before you go dropping money on a steering box.
 
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