Topic: Steering Problem? (Read 9846 times)

crazy8s · « **on:** March 28, 2008, 09:05:15 PM »

Hi,
just realised I should post this here and not in the intro section.

Do any of you have any ideas about this. Was driving home this afternoon when I noticed a popping sound when I turned the steering wheel. I parked up at the girlfriends house and turned the wheel from lock to lock a couple of times. Each time as I got close to the right lock the popping sound could be heard. As a complete newbie to jeeps I have to admit I was bricking it that something serious was up. A few hours later I drove home and the sound has disappeared. Any ideas what this may be and just how worried should I be?

cheers!

'01 XJ 2.5 TD 60th Ann.

tim_aka_tim · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2008, 09:32:43 PM »

Mine did that after we fitted the suspension lift. Damned if I can remember what it was..... Maybe Greggmo or Bubba can remember, it was in Bubba's garage when we were looking at it.

tim_aka_tim · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2008, 09:39:25 PM »

Another thing to keep in mind. When you're sat still and doing lock to lock on an XJ, the whole front of the car will twist - the bonnet will go up one side then the other. This is normal, because it's a unibody, so don't worry!

crazy8s · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2008, 09:49:21 PM »

thanks for the info, it's much appreciated. I had been worried something serious was up but it seemed fine on the drive home.
I'll keep an eye on it over the weekend. :-)

greggmo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2008, 10:15:19 PM »

does the steering feel vague at all?

crazy8s · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2008, 11:07:55 PM »

The steering felt normal.I've only had it for less than a week so I'm still getting used to how it feels.

tim_aka_tim · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2008, 12:43:23 AM »

Is is definitely a popping? Mine was more of a slight clunk. Check all the linkage bolts and bushes have no play. Check the steering box mount for play, and that the wheels are bolted on tight.
A duff UJ would click on full lock while rolling, but not really when stationary.

greggmo · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2008, 01:00:55 AM »

did you have your foot on the brake when you tried it sat still?

GermanXJ · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2008, 07:22:18 AM »

Quote from: "greggmo"

did you have your foot on the brake when you tried it sat still?

Thats what i was going to ask also.

Mike Pavelin · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2008, 09:04:25 AM »

Check the bolts attaching the track bar mounting bracket to the L/H chassis are FT. Also look around the R/H chassis for crackd where the steering box bolts on.

crazy8s · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2008, 10:24:54 AM »

I can't remember if I had my foot on the break but I suspect that I might have.
I'll check the other things that you guys have suggested, but thanks again for all the suggestions and help, I really appreciate it.

crazy8s · « **Reply #11 on:** April 05, 2008, 07:05:45 PM »

Got her checked out by my garage who said the inner front anti roll bar bushes were worn and that there was slight play in the os ball joints ( he felt that the ball joints werent the source of the noise). the bushes were replaced yesterday but he said it was still making the noise. His feeling was that it was coming from the drivetrain ( he thought it might be a UJ) but said he didnt have much of a clue about jeeps and advised me to find a garage that specialised in them. The noise seems to be very intermittent I drove round for 20 minutes with the mechanic before we heard it and drove for over an hour today including some farm tracks without hearing a thing (in fact she drove better than ever today)
So its going back to the dealer in a week or so to get checked out by him. If it is a UJ how serious a job is it? and can any of you Scottish Dastards recommend a garage to me?
cheers!

The Smiths · « **Reply #12 on:** April 06, 2008, 12:11:27 AM »

If it is that intermittent then leave it :roll:

Dave69 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 06, 2008, 02:21:56 AM »

greggmo stop messing round and answer the question

jeepey · « **Reply #14 on:** April 06, 2008, 06:00:12 PM »

My guess is its a worn ball joint. On the track bar, drag link or tie bar. Or it may just be the bolt for the trackbar (on the axle) that needs tightening!
Get someone to move the steering wheel whilst to are looking underneath to see if you can locate where the worn one is

This picture might help locate things, but bear in mind its from a LHD

demonicwillow · « **Reply #15 on:** April 06, 2008, 06:52:43 PM »

I know what it is!!!

Mine did the same, when it was steered to a full right lock it would go bang or pop but not to the left so much, always when I reversed into the drive.

Tighten up all the bolts that secures this, mine were tight, but not enough, Im talking FT.

If you have someone rock the steering at the point of pop/bang you may be able to see it move slightly, took me ages to find it but now its effing tight, (done it up with a breaker bar) its stopped :blinkwave:

Mike Pavelin · « **Reply #16 on:** April 06, 2008, 07:50:39 PM »

Like I said a week ago!

demonicwillow · « **Reply #17 on:** April 06, 2008, 08:12:10 PM »

Quote from: "Mike Pavelin"

Like I said a week ago!

So you did :lol:

crazy8s · « **Reply #18 on:** April 06, 2008, 09:18:31 PM »

I will check that out tomorrow. The new bushes have helped but I daresay things could do with tightening up. It's been sitting for six months before I bought it so I'm sure there will be the odd bit of bother in the next wee while.
Drove 60 plus miles today and not a sound. I , however, have a grin I havent been able to shift yet!
Once again, thanks to everyone for the help and advice (and diagrams) I'm a complete noob to this and really appreciate it.
cheers!

brian reid · « **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2011, 07:53:20 PM »

bar uv joint on front axle,jack car up and check them for play,just mind your finger,if there real bad you will see the play in the joint,if not the joint could be running dry and will be on its way out anyway,they dont last forever,if it is a uv joint get the greasable type and grease them once of twice a year.

regards

MOCAJ · « **Reply #20 on:** May 15, 2011, 07:56:42 PM »

holy shit, if he aint sorted it after 2 years he got big probs

do check the date of posting brian

isle of man · « **Reply #21 on:** May 15, 2011, 08:01:35 PM »

Perhaps he is brian-the-snail!!!

Author Topic: Steering Problem? (Read 9846 times)

crazy8s

crazy8s

crazy8s

GermanXJ

Mike Pavelin

crazy8s

crazy8s

jeepey

demonicwillow

Mike Pavelin

demonicwillow

crazy8s

brian reid