Steering is all over the place

[1515art]

2006 rubicon auto on 3.5 rubicon express w/33s tire pressure 28# Stock pitman arm, pretty sure toe and castor are OK I carefully set them and the Jeep felt good then and nothing seems to be loose or to have slipped in that area. I can let go of the wheel on the freeway hands off the wheel and everything tracks straight then will suddenly drift right (May also go left) also the steering has degraded where I have to stay on top and active or I’m back and forth in my lane (our calif roads suck too) steering play feels excessive to me. New symptom I can feel and hear a click at the end of the steering play from the wheel in both directions (2”Side to side) at the wheel and all over the steering linkage inspecting under the Jeep while my son cycled the steering although nothing moves out of place or looks loose and I’m not certain the play actually results in a true 2” play at the tires. I’ve also noticed a slight hot oil smell so I was thinking power steering box, but was also getting some intermittent vibration that feels like universal joint binding that could really be road related vibration from a bad rear shock absorber except I’ve noticed on occasion a slight rubbing noise when the Jeep is cold that sounds a bit like a dry wheel bearing this lasts just within the first min of driving? I found a rebuilt oem steering box for $400 after the core refund but am holding off pulling the trigger until I’m sure mine is bad? Any ideas suggestions and things I should look at? Could be a couple of things at the same time?

 

[1515art]

Jumped in the Jeep this morning at 6 AM so my daughter could get first in line to take her driving test, pulled onto the street and figured I’d take city streets driving slow because of the unknown intermittent noise and I only got a couple hundred yards down the road when the noise got loud enough it sounded like driving Would cause something to seize, I made a quick right turn a headed back into my driveway. Couple hours later pulled the right front wheel and turning the front right hub it was very stiff with a rubbing sound, the rubber seal was open 1/8” gap. Shot some PB lube and axle grease into the gap and the wheel spins a bit easier and most of the noise is gone I’m hearing it very slightly around 9mph. Other symptoms were slight clicking sound cycling the steering wheel although I can’t see anything loose anywhere, possibly some slight play trying to move the front right wheel side to side and wandering steering. The power steering box actually seems to be within tolerances, I’m thinking I’ll probably need to change the front hub assembly?

 

[AndyG]

Sounds like it....watch those axle u joints too .

 

[Chris]

At first I was going to say it sounds like your steering box might be going out, but now it sounds like it could be a hub as well. There's a chance it's also both! However, since the steering box is within tolerances, I would change the unit bearing assembly first.

Make sure to use the Timken ones, and it would be wise to do them both at once.

The ones you want for your 2006 are these ones:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BZAF36/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[1515art]

Chris and Andy, thank you. Chris when I say tolerances I’m using that statement rather loosely I think normal using my mid century eyeball meter falls within an inch total play side to side fron the steering wheel, but I’m just looking at the lt ft tire standing outside my jeep with the engine running swinging my steering wheel around like I’m nuts parked in the driveway, no ones called the police yet. The tire (wheel) tracks the steering wheel movement just fine, sometimes though and I noticed it today the steering while responsive feels loose (power steering pump weak?) then again there’s that hot oil odor I’ve noticed on occasion after parking. I’m kind of thinking I’ve got a couple of things going on unless the wheel bearing could be having that much of an affect? At least it made enough of a sound today I could finally find it and now after the test lube I forced in there the noise’s gone although the drivers seat sensor intermittently gives an error code I know I’m on borrowed time.
Andy, I’m a little concerned about the axle u-joints the jeeps got 185k on it mostly freeway, but still the wheels are turning. I’m not sure having never experienced what a rough front wheel bearing feels like in a tj, The vibration I felt I can best describe as... stutterish, I’d guess if the wheel bearings were really worn down the ride could feel very rough, I’m not certain what shape mine are in and I imagine front axle u-joints could also feel similar to the intermittent vibration I’ve felt. As long as everything’s apart should I service those, or change them?

 

[1515art]

Chris, thanks again for the link, I ordered two, with an amazon prime free trial came to $150 with free 2 day shipping that by some strange law of physics (guess they don’t come direct) still takes a week, I’ll have them soon enough.

 

[JEG]

I would of thought steering box as well. I had a similar issue as my steering play would let the Jeep wander from side to side at highway speeds so bad that it was scary. The box had a fair amount of play and everything else seems tight. It’s now been rebuilt, just working on getting it back in and see if it’s fixed the problem. Hope you find the problem.