Hi everyone. I'm sure someone in here has extensive knowledge of steering and suspension components. My Jeep was hit while parked on the driver's side tire and just the corner of the bumper so most of the damage was underneath. The axle wasn't bent, but I had to have the entire steering and suspension systems replaced. Shortly after I got it back, I started having intermittent power steering problem. It would go out, but a few turns later it would return as if nothing was wrong. I took it back to the shop and they couldn't duplicate the problem (go figure.) It suddenly returned to "normal", but there was still a tightness in the steering almost like something is binding up. It doesn't feel nor drive properly. I ended up taking it back to the shop and they did another alignment. On the way home while on the middle of an exit ramp, I started getting the traction light so I turned around and they adjusted the drag link and track bar. Last night, I lost the power steering again only this time it didn't return immediately. It comes and goes randomly, but it is always tight and is out more than it's in. The power steering pump isn't making any noise and seems to be functioning fine. I'm assuming it's something in the steering/suspension systems. The best way I can describe it is the steering feels like something is binding up and about to break. Initially, I thought it was a faulty gear box (it was just replaced) , but reading other posts, it seems the steering should be loose (which it is when it isn't losing the power steering). The Jeep is only driven about 100 - 120 miles a week and is no longer driven off road since I got it back as I don't trust it. Does anyone have any thoughts on what could be the problem? I really don't want to take it back to the shop (it's an hour drive) since they obviously don't know what's wrong either. On a side note - there was a clunking noise (also intermittently) only when turning left that I can feel under my foot prior to the power steering going out. I'm not sure if it's still happening since losing the power steering, but that could simply be because I was too busy fighting with the steering wheel. I don't know if it's related or I have two different issues happening. Please help! Jeep info: 2009 JK, 3" RC lift and 33" Mickey Thompson Baja A/T. Thank you!


(I think I posted this in the wrong forum earlier and don't know how to delete it. Sorry!)

 

If that were my jeep, I would sit in front of it while I had another person cycling the steering from lock to lock so I could visually inspect all components and verify there is nothing binding anywhere or some clearance issue. If the power steering is currently out, i'd jack it up and set the axle on jack stands so the tires were just off the ground so could move the steering wheel back and forth easily. I can't tell if you have another issue going on besides the power steering. Assuming that power steering fluid is full and the pump is working properly, power steering comes down to the lines the fluid runs in and the steering box itself. Those factory lines do have a teflon liner in them and I have seen that inner lining slide so that it kinda blocks fluid getting to the steering box.

I would also be checking the torque on all bolts that someone else touched. Is the clunking you reference while turning left a single cluck, or does it repeat like it's rotational? The only thing that comes to mind for that is if the TB has a heim joint on the alxe side and the TB bolt is not torqued to spec. I have seen this make a good size pop/clunk when changing steering direction, but it is just a single noise each time the direction would change (as in making a 90 degree turn) due to the pressure on the TB as the axle tries to shift under the body.

Another thing I might do if I could test it while the power steering was out is simply remove the drag link from the knuckle and then try cycling the steering wheel with the jeep on.....ie, you're cycling the steering system without the pressure of the wheels turning and that would narrow any PS issue down to fluid/pump/lines/steering box if it's still not working right. Keep in mind what's going on here when you turn the steering wheel....the steering box is turning a sector shaft at the bottom, which the pitman arm is attached to, which the drag link is attached to......and the drag link is moving the passenger side knuckle back and forth. the tie rod is "tying" the drivers side knuckle to the passenger side so they turn in tandem. The track bar is just holding the axle position in place, along with the control arms, under the jeep's frame. so, there's really not a lot that can be going wrong down on the axle in terms of power steering. The only other thing down there really are u-joints in the axle shafts that are having to turn/rotate/adjust with the steering inputs.

None of that is very eloquently said.....i'm just thinking out loud and typing.

 

To add to Resharps list ..... I would check to see if the hydraulic assist portion of the steering box is damaged due to the impact of high speed pushing the steering system where it did not want to go. May be needing a new steering box. Hopefully you never signed it off at the body shop as 100% repaired.

 

Well, I've figured out one of the issues (the clunking), but not the other. I can definitely move the tie rod in ways it is not supposed to. There is way too much play in it. As for the PS issue. We lifted it so the tires didn't touch. Initially, the steering wheel is loose lock to lock, but the more it is done the steering wheel gets tighter. We did remove the stabilizer just to see if it changed anything at all - it doesn't. The pump is functioning as best we can tell. No noise and the belt is tight. Checked the fluid and it is a light brown color and it's not bubbling. I did notice when I drove it around the block to pull it in the garage, it becomes harder to steer as soon as I apply the brakes. From the time I put it in gear, release the brake, it doesn't matter how many turns I make it's okay until I touch the brakes then boom! No power steering. I don't know if that even makes sense, but it definitely contributes for some reason. I think I'm going to start with changing the lines and see if it helps since there is no doubt they are the original. If it's not the lines, I'm going with my initial thought of it being the gearbox unless any of the info I provided helps to clarify anything? Thanks again!

 

Called the 4x4 shop today to tell them what is going on with the PS and the brakes, etc. They are ordering a new gearbox as they believe it is the booster in it. Also getting a new tie rod since we had to torque it down again. Apparently it is broken inside it. Hopefully, these will fix the problems. I'll report back after I take it there on Wednesday. If the box wasn't under warranty, I would just replace it myself. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

Took it to the shop and the PS was still intermittent if I touched the brakes when I arrived so they could look at it. They don't know why it's happening. Suggested changing the pump. It remained intermittent for the next 3 days as I didn't have time to change it yet. When I left Sunday morning, I had complete power steering and never lost it even when applying the brakes. Now I'm even more at a loss how I go from intermittent power steering for 2 weeks and then one day it's as if there was never a problem. Is there any electrical component somewhere that would be causing a bad ground and affecting it? I didn't think so, but who knows anymore. I don't believe it's the pump so I'm back to something being wrong internally in the gearbox. Does anyone have any ideas on what to do and/or check now? I don't want to start throwing money into parts that have nothing wrong. Please help!

 

Sorry I can't help. Because I'm having the same issue. I'm out here in the rain checking my front end.

Same symptoms. I hope one of us figure it out!

 

I hope you see something that we have overlooked! No one seems to be able to figure out why it is intermittent and then comes back entirely like nothing was wrong. Mine went 8 months between when it was intermittent and "corrected" itself before it became sporadic again. And of course the weather isn't going to cooperate. From pouring rain to freeze warnings tonight. Hopefully it can be figured out before winter starts. 🤞I definitely don't want to be driving the Jeep and lose the PS in the snow. Good luck!!