My 98 4wd has a bit of slop in it, I cna feel the front end kinda wander....I know this was a commmon problem,what was teh commom soloution?? I dont really see play in the track bar as of yet.... any other suggestions??

 

Well, you should always check steering fluids, power steering pump, and alignment. Those are always the first 3 things to check.

 

Ok, the alignment is dead nuts on... just did it... The fluid levels are fine, and as for the pump, itshad no issues, no pulsing, no bad orbital vlave or anything I can find.. so.... meachanically.. Steering shaft? Box, what gives??

 

My father had a problem with the slop in the steering with his Jeep Grand Cherokee 96' 4wd. He replaced the all the balljoints (which turned out to be worn) and the steering stablizer. It helped the problem a lot athough it wasn't completely fixed. You might be able to check if you have the truck on (not the engine, only turn the key to the running postion) and turn the steering wheel back and forth fast, you should hear if it is the balljoints.

 

I just tightened mine up at the steering box...was very sloppy I got a total of 5 turns outta the allen screw before i hit resistance, was just talking to steve00ram360 about this today and told him how to adjust....Loosen the nut on top of box with either 15MM or 5/8 leave the wrench on the nut when it is loosened, using and allen wrench that fits the screw inside the nut, rotate it down making sure outside nut doesnt move.... take it down till u hit resistance then back it off a half turn.... now hold the allen wrench in place tighten nut back down...this worked great on my truck.....took alot of the sway out can actually steer straight with minimal wander....also check your drag link...thats on the end of pitman arm...have someone turn the wheel while you check for play...I replaced draglink...track bar....made a huge difference...hope this helps

 

good way to see if your t-bar is bad ... it does it on mine. if your parked and go in reverse and start to turn .. youll hear a pop... mine does it and i know my tierod ends and my ractbar are craped out... srping time the front end is getting rebuilt... yay

 

wow... u like that spelling huh..... ractbar thats a new one doubleposter nonspellers suck!

 

The first place I would check is the tie rod ends track back , general front end shake down. Steering box could be definite cause start witht he wheel centered and start to turn the wheel and have a friend tell you when the wheels strat to turn.

 

Did you put the max caster into the alignment? this will help with wandering and also prevent the dreaded death wobble...

 

OK. Me again. I know I only come here when there is a problem with the truck. Sorry.

Just had $2159 in work done to the front end. All ball joints, tie rod ends and sleeves, pitman arm and steering box. Had to take it back the next day, because the box they installed had more slop then the one they took out.
It's a 98 2wd V8 1500 with 20 x 8.5 rims and 275/55R 20 sport tires. I dropped the ait pressure from the 49 that the tire listed to 45 and some of the wander went away. But it still does not feel anywhere near as direct as our 98 2500 that is at work.
What sould my next step be? Shocks or Steering colum to box shaft?
Thanks. Cliff