So, I had my Jk in the shop, and for WHATEVER reason the steering wheel
got cranked to one side, WHILE IT WAS LOCKED. As it turned you could hear a SNAP. After this the steering doesent work right.

It feels as though the steering wheel is grinding on metal or soemthing as you turn. The wheels turn and such, and the Power Steering appears to be working correctly, however it feels as though it isnt.

It seems like metal is lodged somewheres in the wheel? Causing it to grind and act stiff.

When you turn the wheel its stiff, then it looses, then when you go back the other way its stiff again...

Cant drive the JK like this.

Anyone have any idea??????

PLEASE!!!!

 

Bump!!!!!!!

 

kinda sounds like you might have a broken u-joint.

take it back to the shop!

 

Speculation at this point will do you NO good. Put it in the shop and get the wheel taken off, that way you will know EXACTLY where you are at. Your post doesn't give enough info about the occourance to even hazard a guess..... Good Luck!!!!

 

I did have the steering wheel off. However you cant tell of any broken/disrupted parts. I suppose a better question would be what happens when you break the steering wheel lock? If anyone has any info on what acutally "locks" the steering when when it is turned. My "belief" at this time would be that whatever "locks" the steering wheel has been broken...

 

good point,

 

Just a hunch

When I had my 2.5 Bb on and raised the front on a lift and put it back down the first time the sway bar links reversed and pushed forward . They were resting on the steering shaft. This left the Jeep able to only steer one way and it was like metal grinding on metal (which it was).

Put it back on and put some pressure on the links as it was lowered and it was fine. The first time I did not have the longer links in the front (we ran outta time) and this happened.

 

Why was it in the shop? Suspension work?
If not, and the steering wheel was locked and got forced to turn, the locking mechanism inside the steering colum most likely broke and a peice is lodged in the bearing or around the shaft casuing the problem. I am not super familiar with this mechanism, but it sould to me like the steering colum needs to come apart.

If it happened in the shop, have the shop fix what they broke.

good luck on this one...

 

Don't mean to hijack the thread. But, can someone confirm that the steering wheel does lock in place when the key is out. I was 99% sure it did but now mine isn't. Just started today; on the road it feels a little sloppy and in the driveway, with it turned off, I can turn the wheels left and right without it locking. I'm stock and haven't been on the trails lately. Something isn't right and it will be going to the shop in the morning. I was just looking for a conformation that the wheel should be locking.

Thanks, and now back to your regularly scheduled thread already in progress.

 

The steering wheel should lock after about a 1/4 turn either direction

as for the stiff steering wheel

for the fun of it disconnect your steering dampner and try it a gain