Steering Wheel will twitch when i make turns

[rtripton]

The steering wheel is starting to twitch and when i make 90 degree turns. But when I switch lanes, or make a 40 degree turn, it is fine. What is happening is that i will turn the wheel to the right, lets say, then as i straighten the car out, and the steering wheel returns to it's original position, i feel the wheel catching on something, and it will twitch 2-3 times. (it does not feel like that Death Wobble that others are talking about. It is softer and not a "violent shake." Also, my issue only happens when I make sharper turns.)

I have checked my power steering fluild, and i am full. But my fluid is old. I haven't changed it in a long time. Could this be the issue?

Any ideas? Suggestions? Thanks.

[1996Chreokee]

I had a similiar problem with my steering too but mine got to the point where the steering wheel would not return to center... and it felt like it was grabbing when i turned the wheel... almost as if the p/s was going in and out...

THE FIX

I jacked up the the front so the tires were off the ground... Removed the air box and oiled, greased and lube the u-joints in the steering shaft (mine was rusty and gummed up)... Removed the return hose on the power steering pump (its held on by a clamp) I pieced in another piece of hose so I could route the fluid down to a bucket on the floor under the car.... I had a friend start the vehicle and work the steering wheel side to side while fluid was poured into the pump...(I had 4 quarts flushed through mine) replace the hose and fill the pump... To bleed the pump you have to turn the wheels left and right all the way a few times and hold it for a few seconds(this is what I was told) Then again worked the steering wheel while greasing those u-joints again

Make sure you wear saftey glasses

and when you are running the vehicle and pouring the fluid in the pump it runs out very fast... Don't let the pump run dry

Let us know how you make out

[AlohaBra]

HUH??? The people here want real solutions...so WTH..

[dave92cherokee]

Another thing you might want to check if you get the front end lifted up in the air is check the tie rod ends and uppper and lower ball joints and see if any of them look worn out or loose. Mine were worn out so when ever I would turn the wheel all the way I would feel a kind of jerking but not when I made easier turns. You can tell real easy if it's the tie rod ends or ball joints by jacking it up high enough to get the tires off the ground and have a buddy grab the front and back of the tire and try to turn it and see if it's real loose or not. To check the ball joints get it lifted in the air a couple of inches put a block or small brick in front of the tire and stick a crowbar under the tire and see if the tire moves up and down at all. If they are worn out it will move between a 1/4 and 1/2 inch or maybe more. If that's the case then get the items replaced soon as it will only cause problems in other steering parts.

[Stick89]

Tire out of round

Tread shifted...IF it's an older tire

Any dents in rims...