Hi all, first time to this forum. I'm a frequent user of jeep forum for my jeep so I hope this forum is as informational and helpful as that is. Anyway my son now has a 1999 Durango SLT with 5.9 L engine. It had many new front end parts installed to the tune of about 1k including water pump and door window regulator. Truck runs great and sounds good but wheel feels very sloppy. Almost half a turn of steering wheel before wheels actually turn to either left or right. Feels like I'm always moving steering wheel to keep vehicle straight. No noises or clicking sounds at all. Don't know exactly what parts were replaced but I do know many were such as pitman arms, hubs, ball joints and others. truck is aligned and tracks straight it just has very sloppy steering wheel. Any suggestions on what it is causing it how hard to replace and so on. Thanks in advance for any info and/or suggestions.

 

chances are the intermediate steering shaft is worn out, not uncommon on these trucks, and also not difficult to replace, however the part is expensive to buy new (i think its like $150-200)

open the hood and have someone wiggle the wheel, see if you can see any slop in the steering shaft.

 

Is this the part that goes from the firewall to the power steering box? If so I believe there are 2 bolts that connect this correct. Some detailed instructions, video, or pics would be greatly appreciated.

 

More likely the Gearbox.

 

You can tighten up the steering box pretty easy. There is a slotted screw on top of the box with a jam-nut, just loosen the jam nut and turn the screw in (not too tight, just ‘till you feel a little resistance) then hold the screw in position and tighten the jam-nut.

 

Any pics or images of the slotted screw on gear box would be helpful. I'm willing to give this a try but don't want to touch wrong screw. I cannot seem to find this screw. Maybe I'm just stupid lol but I want to make sure I don't screw it up and makes things worse.

 

yes the shaft that goes into the steering box, if it is bad you will be able to see it moving without the wheels turning

 

I don’t have my 98 D anymore to take a picture, but it’s the screw and nut directly opposite of the pitman arm shaft. The screw may be either slotted or internal wrenching (allen).

 

Check to see if there's any play or looseness in your inner and outer tie rod ends while your into it. Sounds like a multiple cause issue to me and there things are notorious for burning through tie rod ends.

 

The tie rods were actually one of the many front end parts replaced and everything is great but the loose sloppy wheel feel. I'm hoping to get a better look at it tomorrow now that I know what I'm looking for. Rain all day here made it hard to get too. So this screw is on the top visible from under the hood closest to the power steering pump and resevoir correct? Thanks