Quick Question about Steering parts/trouble

[r82148v]

I have a 1999 Cherokee sport 4.0... I've had steering shimmy and some sporatic death wobble at certain highway speed and only hitting bumps in the road. I do not have a lift. This is a stock jeep.

I had someone turn the steering wheel while I looked underneith.. I noticed the trackbar on the frame side moving up and down as the steering wheel was moved slightly back and forth. I also noticed where the pitman arm and tierod connects having some sloppy movement with alot of grease all over it.

My question is: It the trackbar supposed to move at all (up & down ) on the frame side and is the pitman / tierod end suppose to have a little loose play?

If not, would these contribute to the steering troubles?
Thank you guys for helping me out with this!!!!!

Rick

[fredjacksonsan]

The trackbar will have some movement up and down due to steering geometry; but what you don't want is to have the parts loose. Check the connection points and bushings on the track bar to make sure they're tight and in good condition; you don't want any slop.

But the track bar probably won't contribute to the wobble; since you have play in the pitman arm and tie rod ends, I'd look there for the problem.

Do a search under "death wobble" here, and in the Wrangler forum, and you'll find a wealth of information.

[Ray H]

Im going to have to disagree.
Both the trackbar and drag link have the same type of tapered fit tierod ends. There should be no up or down movement in either of these joints. They are designed to have some rotational and angular movement, but no "up or down" movement.
Grease at tierod ends is common, it seeps out around the rubber bulbs.
If you grab the drag link it should twist a little but should not move up, down, or side to side, same with the trackbar.

[r82148v]

Originally Posted by Ray H

Im going to have to disagree.
Both the trackbar and drag link have the same type of tapered fit tierod ends. There should be no up or down movement in either of these joints. They are designed to have some rotational and angular movement, but no "up or down" movement.
Grease at tierod ends is common, it seeps out around the rubber bulbs.
If you grab the drag link it should twist a little but should not move up, down, or side to side, same with the trackbar.

That's what I was thinking Ray. I havent tried moving it by hand but by moving the steering wheel just a little bit left & right , both the track bar(tierod end) and the Tierod end (in the Pitman) have small up and down movements..
So your saying there should be absolute no lateral movement?

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by r82148v

That's what I was thinking Ray. I havent tried moving it by hand but by moving the steering wheel just a little bit left & right , both the track bar(tierod end) and the Tierod end (in the Pitman) have small up and down movements..
So your saying there should be absolute no lateral movement?

The only movement you should get is if you twist the bars.
The tierod ends are like a ball and socket joint. If the ball is tight in the socket, it should have no in or out play (or slop) in the socket.

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by Ray H

Im going to have to disagree.
Both the trackbar and drag link have the same type of tapered fit tierod ends. There should be no up or down movement in either of these joints. They are designed to have some rotational and angular movement, but no "up or down" movement.
Grease at tierod ends is common, it seeps out around the rubber bulbs.
If you grab the drag link it should twist a little but should not move up, down, or side to side, same with the trackbar.

You said what I meant to say, only better. Thanks.

[r82148v]

I sent it in to FIRESTONE for four tires, alignment, and a steering damper.
The truck drive great! I sure hope this did the trick and just didnt cover the problem up.

Thank you all for your help in this matter .. :o)

Keep Jeepin

[AlohaBra]

If you didn't change the track bar, I would. They don't cost much and they need to be tight, especially the ball joint end. I will skip the long story about the one on my 84 that made a clunk noise.