Hi everyone, Happy Father's Day to all that are eligible. I was playing very hard with my jk7 rubicon last week and broke the driver side u joint. I limped her home, and discovered that not only was the knuckle busted, but the passenger side axle had been broken for a long while. Before you flame me for not knowing or noticing, I drive a motorcycle 97% of the year and use my jeep for play.
Any how, I purchased a set of cv axles by rcvperformaceprodcts.com and installed. After taking it out for the test drive, I immediately took notice to some major steering issues.
1. The steering wheel is cocked and has a great deal of play in it before it starts to turn the wheels. 2. The jeep turns easily and very heavy to the left even on it's own while coasting. 3. It's is near impossible to turn to the right and it will not get a full turn.

I have narrowed it down to alignment and a broken steering component, I do believe the cv axles are installed properly (no grinding when in 4x4 and no issues engaging 4x4). Also it happens in standard 2 wheel drive. If it is a steering component, what component is it that usually goes bad in the Jk's. my stabilizer is 1 year old, but the rest is stock.

Any help, greatly appreciated!

Filipos

 

It's not your RCV's causing the problem. I would first check the tie rod and then the drag link. Hearing that you have slop in the steering is a concern. If either the tie rod bolts or drag link bolts are loose then that would cause the problem. Since it is more to the left then the right I would check the drag link first. It is a stretch, but you could also be getting ready to lose the sector shaft. I don't think that's it but....

Check your bolts and see if there is any movement.

 

Thanks for the reply so I have it up on jacks and the tie rods seem to be nice and tight, I will check the drag link bolts. As for the sector shat, how do I go about checking that?

 

So no suspicion of it being the steering pump?

 

There is nothing I hate more then an op that solves a problem and never tells anyone leaving the issue open. The front dif was locked and has been for a while. Turns out that the front right spline was sheared off so I never knew. When I replaced the axles, it made it apparent. (Again, I ride my motorcycle 97% of the year)...

 

so what was it?