Topic: Steering Play

[BigBoi]

Hi folks,

I've noticed a little bit of steering play in my 97 TJ, maybe about an inch. First, I'd like to know if this is an issue I should take care of as it doesn't really bother me, and if so, what might be the problem area?

Thanks all!

[jagular7]

Deciefer if its a steering problem or a suspension link problem. Play in the steering wheel can also be play in the track bar and frame mounts, bad tie rods, bad axle bearings, or combination in all of them.

Or the splines on the steering shaft at the steering wheel are striping. You'll need to turn the Jeep over and walk on your daily routine.

[BigBoi]

You'll need to turn the Jeep over and walk on your daily routine.

Hmmm...not too sure what that means. Could this potentially be something serious? This is my daily driver. Should I just wait to see if gets any worse? How would I go on to decifer if it's a steering problem or a suspension problem?

[jagular7]

You'll need to turn the Jeep over and walk on your daily routine.

Hmmm...not too sure what that means. Could this potentially be something serious? This is my daily driver. Should I just wait to see if gets any worse? How would I go on to decifer if it's a steering problem or a suspension problem?

No, my smiley didn't get there. LOL it was only a joke. I had a thought of a video where the steering wheel popped off into the driver's hand he kept going forward. It was on a quick release steering wheel.

I'd check out the suspension with someone turning the wheel back and forth. Have them go full right, then full left, then back/forth in quick spirts. Look at the frame mount for the track bar and steering box. Look at the tie rods and axle bracket for the track bar. If all that looks good, lift a wheel off the ground and check for ball joint play as well as bearing play.
If you can't do this yourself, take it to a shop for analysis.

[neale_rs]

One thing to check is for play in the u-joints on the steering intermediate shaft that goes between the steering column and the steering box.  Mine (95 YJ) was quite worn and replacing the shaft eliminated 3 inches of play.

[Tall Boy]

happened to me, it was the steering linkage comin loose. it worsened in days where it would only turn one way

[BigBoi]

New update guys. Hopefully this can shed some light. I'm kind of peeved I didn't check this first, but the play in the steering wheel goes away when I tilt the wheel all the way to the top. It seems to get progressively worse as it tilts lower.

Any ideas?

[jagular7]

The tilt mechanism is similar to the track of your seats. Look at those and you'll see a tooth in a cavity. Play comes when the tooth and the cavity have larger interference. 'Is she tight or loose' comes to mind LOL 

Probably the fix is a new column.................................Or Jeep


I shouldn't quit my day job, eh?

[BigBoi]

One thing to check is for play in the u-joints on the steering intermediate shaft that goes between the steering column and the steering box.  Mine (95 YJ) was quite worn and replacing the shaft eliminated 3 inches of play.

So I finally got some time (and daylight) to have a look as to what is going on. I basically had a friend turn the wheel while the Jeep was off (and on), and what I've noticed is that there doesn't seem to be a problem until is hits what I'm assuming is the steering box. I can grab the shaft from under the hood and it has about an inch of play each way. What should be the next course of action?

[neale_rs]

One inch of play is not much, I would probably just not worry about it.  It sounds like you are sure it is the shaft so you could replace it.  They cost about $100 and are easy to replace.  The most complicated part is that you will need to unbolt the steering column to get it to move back and forth to allow you to slide the shaft couplers on the splines.