Knocking and Loose steering

[Dorian_M]

hey im new to the forum.
I own an 05 Liberty Sport and I am having some issues.
At about 45mph my steering becomes loose, a little play side to side. However that goes away in about a minute.
Also, everyday for the 1st minute of driving, it sounds like there is a knocking in the front end. This usually goes away in a minute or so. However when I drive at highway speeds there is some slight knocking once in a while. Any advice?
This seems to be more than a tire balancing issue but you never know, Im going for a balance in a few days.

 

[turblediesel]

Worn tie-rods or ball joints or ???

How many miles?

 

[Dorian_M]

about 114k miles, and my mechanic just looked at it and replaced the drivers side rear ball joint. Tie rods I haven't checked

 

[tommudd]

about 114k miles, and my mechanic just looked at it and replaced the drivers side rear ball joint. Tie rods I haven't checked

Ah, are you sure he said drivers side rear ball joint?
Did you mean the drivers side front ?
Only one ball joint in the rear and its in the center, plus most replace the whole tri-link since most likely of the ball joint is bad so are the two front bushings.

Plus unless its been replaced at 114,000 miles the springs and shocks are done for.

 

[Dorian_M]

He replaced the whole boomerang looking piece in the rear, bushings included. I think you are right with the shocks. I went away on vacation a couple months ago and my did installed a 2.5in lift (Daystar). He forgot to mention to me that he didn't replace the shocks with it, and im currently still riding on the stock ones.
Hopefully thats the only issue, any recommendations on shocks?

 

[tommudd]

He replaced the whole boomerang looking piece in the rear, bushings included. I think you are right with the shocks. I went away on vacation a couple months ago and my did installed a 2.5in lift (Daystar). He forgot to mention to me that he didn't replace the shocks with it, and im currently still riding on the stock ones.
Hopefully thats the only issue, any recommendations on shocks?

At 114,000 springs and shocks need replaced
Then if you don't want more issues from having a Daystar lift the jeepinbyal UCA's and teraflex bumpstops in the front and bumpstops in the rear
Lifted you can use 99-04 Dodge Dakota extra cab 4X4 rear shocks ( Bilstein only ) and bilstein front shocks for the KJ

 

[Dorian_M]

thanks ill look into that! Ill let you know how it goes