Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: jon3067 on May 11, 2015, 09:09:41 PM

Title: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: jon3067 on May 11, 2015, 09:09:41 PM
Hi everyone

First post here - just bought a 2002 TJ - various bits and bobs added.

On the drive home, stirring is a bit vague - and lying on the floor having a look, makes me feel all of the tie ends are worn - quite a lot of movement from all of them when i jiggle the drag bar etc around - literally really lose feeling - and lots of movement.

So, first question - should there be much movement in the tie ends on a life TJ?

If not, and they  need replacing - are they all fairly standard - or given it got a lift kit, are there special ones I need - and are there any jeep specialists around the midlands who sell these?

Sorry for all of the questions!

Jon

Jon
Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: Dave69 on May 12, 2015, 06:42:22 AM
there should be no movement in the steering track rod ends on the steering components at all
Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: bisleywrangler on May 13, 2015, 06:06:28 AM
The rod ends should be free to rotate but have no play in them.


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Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: daggie on May 13, 2015, 06:47:58 PM
 :iagree:
check the chassis isn't cracracked behind the steering box
if its anything like the 89.000 miler TJ sitting on my drive, every bush and every ball joint is fecked including the trackbar  :banghead:
Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: jon3067 on May 13, 2015, 07:27:08 PM
Thanks everyone.

Are there any independent jeep garages near warwick that I could buy the parts from - handy enough with the spanners - just need to know I'm getting the right parts....

Jon
Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: georgen on May 13, 2015, 08:20:38 PM
best up ordering from the likes of 4playjeep, lighthouse , both of those know there stuff and will sell you the correct parts and offer advice, there is also  Jeep Chrysler parts you can find them through ebay as-well as contacting directly.
Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: jon3067 on May 13, 2015, 08:27:39 PM
Thanks Georgen - will give them a call tomorrow!

Jon
Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: jon3067 on May 13, 2015, 10:30:53 PM
Hi

I took a short video of this earlier - hopefully this link works:

http://youtu.be/xm2_D7VJDiw

All of the joints move in the same way - does this look normal?

Jon
Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: Lornaben on May 14, 2015, 09:36:42 AM
Thats normal movement and what its designed for.

As you look at it any movement felt left to right means the joint is toast.
Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: Mike Pavelin on May 15, 2015, 05:03:58 PM
......you have driven a TJ before I take it? It will feel a more than bit vague compared to a normal modern car, even more so if it is modified. Are you sure there's actually something wrong with it?
Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: JamesH on May 15, 2015, 07:36:37 PM
Very good point. The steering feels like a ship compared to a modern car.
Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: georgen on May 15, 2015, 07:46:05 PM
Thats steering boxes for you, we all went soft with rack and pinion steering lol. those joints look fine as it is a ball on the end of the pin so should rotate like that, but if you jacked wheel up and with your hands at 9:15 twist the wheel back and forth a little, someone would be able to check for play for you, there should be none, also hold wheel at top and pull and push to check axle steering joints, again should be no play if there is you would have to get someone to determine if its the joint or wheel bearing in both cases.
Title: Re: 2002 TJ - sloppy steering / everything feels bit loose
Post by: Dave69 on May 15, 2015, 09:43:50 PM
try a CJ if you want to see what acceptable free play in the steering is