Topic: steering "loose"...jeep "wandering" more than usual...what to check first?

[Loke Groundrunner]

started to notice it a few days ago. lots of "play" in the steering wheel and the 4-clanger is "wandering" on the road more than normal. steering definitely "less precise" than desired. weather's been too bad to do any investigating (and work hasn't permitted the time). hopefully this weekend i can spend a few hours with it. what should i look for? cheers.

[jason 00 tj]

start with your track bar thats where a lot of wandering problems are caused . have some inside the jeep turning the steering wheel lock to lock at moderate speed and see if the axle moves before the body of the jeep . then see whats loose under there.

[nic99007]

if you have track bars   

[neale_rs]

I hate admit it but TJs do seem to have the upper hand for handling terrain and maintaining traction.  However, if you count all the problems with the track bars and control arms ( I see this on practically every wheeling trip with TJs, ZJs and XJs), it may be better overall to stick with the stiffer leaf sprung YJs or CJs.