Rough feel in steering after driving

[HoosierJeeper]

It's had this issue for a few years. After it's been driven for awhile, there's a noise/clunk feeling in the steering. The odd part is, there's no play in the steering at all...the second you bump the wheel one direction, you can watch the wheels move that way. It feels nice and tight despite the sound. And when the Jeep is cold, it's perfectly quiet and smooth. I've sprayed the steering indermediate shaft with lithium grease lately and that seems to have helped so that leads me to believe it's worn or the U joints on it are worn.
Here's a vid
https://youtu.be/aqS-pA1QeF8

Any ideas?

 

[dude1116]

It's had this issue for a few years. After it's been driven for awhile, there's a noise/clunk feeling in the steering. The odd part is, there's no play in the steering at all...the second you bump the wheel one direction, you can watch the wheels move that way. It feels nice and tight despite the sound. And when the Jeep is cold, it's perfectly quiet and smooth. I've sprayed the steering indermediate shaft with lithium grease lately and that seems to have helped so that leads me to believe it's worn or the U joints on it are worn.
Here's a vid
https://youtu.be/aqS-pA1QeF8

Any ideas?

Your inner tie rods are shot. Mine does the same thing :favorites68:

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Really? Wouldn't that hurt the alignment and cause pulling? Don't have any of those issues.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Actually, that sounds plausible. I do get a pop sometimes after turns.

 

[CactusJacked]

Jack one wheel at a time off the ground, grab the tire at the 9 and 3 o'clock position, and try to rock the wheel back and forth. If you feel/see any movement, watch your inner and outer tie rod ends while rocking the wheel.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Will do- did that a few weeks ago and don't recall feeling play but I'll try it again.

 

[dude1116]

It could be possible that the tie rods only do it on the ground. Don't forget when things are jacked up things are at a completely different (albeit worse) angle, and might not show the exact same symptoms as when the whole weight of the Jeep is on the ground.

 

[CactusJacked]

It could be possible that the tie rods only do it on the ground. Don't forget when things are jacked up things are at a completely different (albeit worse) angle, and might not show the exact same symptoms as when the whole weight of the Jeep is on the ground.

When I raise the front, I put the jack under the lower control arm, which keeps the weight of the Jeep on the suspension.

 

[dude1116]

When I raise the front, I put the jack under the lower control arm, which keeps the weight of the Jeep on the suspension.

Fair enough.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I jacked it up by the LCAs. Both sides probably have 1/16" play or so at 9 and 3. I could actually hear/feel the pop. No play up and down, thankfully.

So I guess that's the consensus lol. Is it worth paying $20 more for Napa ones or will AC delco or Moog ones from rockauto do?

 

[CactusJacked]

I've always used Moog over the years and never had anything fail or wear prematurely. My most recent (last month) was the d.s. outer tie rod end, way too soon for longevity feedback. On rockauto, sometimes you see a couple different grades of the same part by the same manufacturer. Get the better one that costs a few bucks more.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

The only tie rod that I've replaced is the passenger outer. Got a Napa greasable one there.

But thanks for the help guys. Dude1116, so yours sounds the same as my vid? How long has yours been like that?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Got the new Moog tie rods in and it's better, but still there. Any ideas? There's no slop at all in the steering. Just a noise/ minor pop feeling in the steering a I turn the wheel a lot (say backing out of a drive way or parking spot)

 

[dude1116]

Got the new Moog tie rods in and it's better, but still there. Any ideas? There's no slop at all in the steering. Just a noise/ minor pop feeling in the steering a I turn the wheel a lot (say backing out of a drive way or parking spot)

How do your bushings look? Shoot some pics!

 

[ltd02]

How about the rack bushings? Not sure if this is what Dude1116 meant. Maybe just starting to go.

http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f202/how-band-aid-shot-steering-rack-bushing-40247/

 

[dude1116]

Was just thinking about this. Rack bushings would really give you more of a clunking noise than the popping that you are hearing. Did you replace both inner tie rods?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Yeah, both inners are new. I'm not ruling out the rack bushings but I thought those would be accompanied by wandering or a loose steering feel. The steering is very tight and no wandering at all. It responds instantly to small steering inputs. Here's a few pics of them though.
Drivers

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Passenger

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For what it's worth I can also feel the pop in the brake pedal at the same time I feel it in the steering.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Update: Did the bushing bandaids and it feels quite better now.

Stupid question: Could doing the bandaid have changed the alignment?

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

Update: Did the bushing bandaids and it feels quite better now.

Stupid question: Could doing the bandaid have changed the alignment?

No.

Your steering wheel may be turned very slightly to the right or left when driving straight but that doesn't affect your alignment.


Bob

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Ok thanks! Is there an easy way to fix that?