Steering: How loose is too loose?

[ejay]

Everything is tight; I think. At least in regard to the rods. See the video below. Sometimes I drive like I'm UI.

I'm due for new control arms and shocks.

Is this too much play? I'd like it to be tighter and hope it's not a worn steering box.

Background: 3.5" lift on 33s. RE control arms soon to be replaced. MX6 shocks soon to be replaced. Currie antirock first Gen installed. RE coils. Newer RE track bar. Newer Currie Currectlync tie rod. Front wheel bearings are newer as well. Newer OME steering damper.

Below is as far as it goes before I can just start feeling feedback.

 

[TJoe]

Seems pretty close to what I get out of mine, though I'm not sure if it's better for others on average or not.

 

[ejay]

Wouldn't be as much a pain if my alignment wasn't off. Lol

 

[CharlesHS]

Does the Jeep drift on the highway ?
How many miles are on the Jeep and is the steering box the original ?
You should do an inspection of the tie rod ends, steering shaft coupling and the pitman arm tie rod end.
I had a similar problem on my '98XJ and found the problem to be the Currie Currectlync tie rod end at the pitman arm along with excessive wear in the steering box. I replaced the steering box and the TRE at the pitman arm which cured the continued correction on the highway and created a noticeable difference in steering response.

 

[jeepins]

Almost exactly like mine is. And funny because I'll wiggle the wheel everytime I'm driving like that as if i'm going to be magically surprised at some sort of change in looseness.

 

[ejay]

Does the Jeep drift on the highway ?
How many miles are on the Jeep and is the steering box the original ?
You should do an inspection of the tie rod ends, steering shaft coupling and the pitman arm tie rod end.
I had a similar problem on my '98XJ and found the problem to be the Currie Currectlync tie rod end at the pitman arm along with excessive wear in the steering box. I replaced the steering box and the TRE at the pitman arm which cured the continued correction on the highway and created a noticeable difference in steering response.

124k. Original steering box. Probably 15k on the tie rod.

It's going I to the shop on the 31st anyway. I'll have them take a look. Thanks

 

[Fishtaco]

My 06 is not loose with no real play although mine is a stock standard stock with all factory steering/suspension.

 

[Fishtaco]

Almost exactly like mine is. And funny because I'll wiggle the wheel everytime I'm driving like that as if i'm going to be magically surprised at some sort of change in looseness.

I am the opposite! I constantly try to wiggle the wheel expecting problems. I drove quite a few TJ,s with loose steering when I was buying and was warned (right or wrong?) to not buy one with sloppy steering to avoid possible DW problems!
I suppose my focus should have been more on engine/gearbox though as I don't never seem to go fast enough to get DW

 

[L J]

Is this too much play?

that's sloppy

I'd like it to be tighter and hope it's not a worn steering box.

better throw on a $3k PSC hydro assist setup just to be safe

 

[Jerry Bransford]

If you end replacing the steering box avoid store brands and Cardone.

 

[Exm38a1er]

I am the opposite! I constantly try to wiggle the wheel expecting problems. I drove quite a few TJ,s with loose steering when I was buying and was warned (right or wrong?) to not buy one with sloppy steering to avoid possible DW problems!
I suppose my focus should have been more on engine/gearbox though as I don't never seem to go fast enough to get DW

You mean you never go up to 50 mph????

 

[Fishtaco]

You mean you never go up to 50 mph????

Stop start city traffic daily driver!
Have done a few longer overnight trips of up to 3 hours each way to blow it out and no DW up to 70mph or the few bursts over 75 mph. 3.07 gears cruises like any other car at 75 in 6th I will note.

What I was trying to say was 99.9% of my driving is under 45 mph so a bit of sloppy steering wouldn't have mattered that much and I could have bought an older preferred colour TJ for my daily purpose.
Going 23MPH over any speed limit here is instant loss of license for 3 months and car impound plus a hefty fine for dangerous driving, so we have learned not to "over speed"

We have a lot of 25mph speed restrictions during school times and mostly only 30mph in any built up area, 37mph is allowed on dual carriageways in built up areas and between 43 and 68 mph on open roads and freeways.
I had to convert all that shit from kph to mph and now my brain hurts! I think the Canadians would understand! lol

 

[ejay]

If you end replacing the steering box avoid store brands and Cardone.

Going to be a chore if I do. A quick search shows they run from $140-$840.

If it comes to it maybe a Dodge Durango steering box? Or is that just another bottle of snake oil?

 

[mrblaine]

If it comes to it maybe a Dodge Durango steering box? Or is that just another bottle of snake oil?

You've been on internet Jeep forums way too long to not know that answer.

 

[ejay]

You've been on internet Jeep forums way too long to not know that answer.