94 jimmy 4X4 steering issues

[shanes76]

I was driving and it was like I was drunk or something, it was wandering all over the road, so I stoppedand jacked up drivers side cause I could feel a vibration on that side and if I put my hands in the 3 and 9 O'clock positions I could move the wheel in and out so I replaced the inner and outter tie rods- and it wouls also seem like when you hit a bump it would go off to one side- I replaced the drivers side and I jacked up the passenger side today and could move that wheel in and out so I got up under neath and having someone move the wheel for me it looked like it has play where the idler arm and pitman arm connect, it seems to have tight steering(no play ) just wandering on the road- would this be the idler arm?

[shanes76]

any suggestions? Anyone had this problem before?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by shanes76

I was driving and it was like I was drunk or something, it was wandering all over the road, so I stoppedand jacked up drivers side cause I could feel a vibration on that side and if I put my hands in the 3 and 9 O'clock positions I could move the wheel in and out so I replaced the inner and outter tie rods- and it wouls also seem like when you hit a bump it would go off to one side- I replaced the drivers side and I jacked up the passenger side today and could move that wheel in and out so I got up under neath and having someone move the wheel for me it looked like it has play where the idler arm and pitman arm connect, it seems to have tight steering(no play ) just wandering on the road- would this be the idler arm?

If it is lose replace the lose parts and then get a good front end alignment.
Lose parts or bad ps steering or front end alignment or both or bad tires and wheel can cause it to wander.

[shanes76]

as of right now i believe the alignment is good, I can let go of the steering wheel and it doesnt pull or nothing, when I had the pass isde jacked up and moved the wheel- I could see where the idler and pitman arm bolt to the long bar- it looked like the long bar was moving without the others in which is where the rubber boot part goes into the long bar and it only wanders to the passenger side that I noticed and when I hit a bump it kinda feels like thw wheel goes that way. And I also believe the power steering is good. I read somewhere that wandering was caused by a bad idler arm cause its not supporting the bar like the pitman arm, and the tie rods seemed to be tight when moving the wheel also, ball joints are good and my steering has no plat in it

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by shanes76

as of right now i believe the alignment is good, I can let go of the steering wheel and it doesnt pull or nothing, when I had the pass isde jacked up and moved the wheel- I could see where the idler and pitman arm bolt to the long bar- it looked like the long bar was moving without the others in which is where the rubber boot part goes into the long bar and it only wanders to the passenger side that I noticed and when I hit a bump it kinda feels like thw wheel goes that way. And I also believe the power steering is good. I read somewhere that wandering was caused by a bad idler arm cause its not supporting the bar like the pitman arm, and the tie rods seemed to be tight when moving the wheel also, ball joints are good and my steering has no plat in it

Just replacing tie rods throws it out of alignment unless you check/reset toe in.
Replace what is lose and get a alignment.
And be done with you problems.

[shanes76]

well I got the old idler arm off, and where it has the 2 bolt holes- well that was really loose- and I could also unscrew it and take it apart and on the other end while trying to take the nut off- the threaded part was turning on me also, so Im guessing it was wore out or maybe the original one

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by shanes76

well I got the old idler arm off, and where it has the 2 bolt holes- well that was really loose- and I could also unscrew it and take it apart and on the other end while trying to take the nut off- the threaded part was turning on me also, so Im guessing it was wore out or maybe the original one

If you have all lose parts replaced and ball joints are not lose time for a good front end alignment.

Good luck

[shanes76]

when I had it jacked up I tried to move the wheel up and down and it didnt move so Im guessing ball joints are good

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by shanes76

when I had it jacked up I tried to move the wheel up and down and it didnt move so Im guessing ball joints are good

You have to get the pressure off of ball joints to check for looseness.

[MT-2500]

Even with front end jacked up your ball joints can have pressure on them causing you to not feel any looseness.
But have no fear a good front end alignment shop will check them for you before a alignment.

Good Luck

[shanes76]

got the front end aligment on Monday, thought about the 4 wheel but just went with the front end, had my front tires balanved as well, steering is good now, still has some vibration so I think my back tires need balanced also so I will be doing that Sturday, thanx for all the help guys