Hey guys,

Having some issues troubleshooting my problem. I've read some threads about it already. Anyways, I'm having problems with my steering (2 door sport, Skyjacker 5" lift and 35s). At least 3 inches of play from center without any movement of the tires. I just put a Skyjacker HD stabilizer on this week to see if that would help, but didn't help the play (slightly helped holding turns but with so much play it's really easy to over-steer).

SO... started investing last night with a more mechanically-minded friend. I turned the wheel back and forth (between the two points where the tires start to catch) while he looked at everything. We found a problem with the pitman arm. At first we thought it was still the stock arm (so too short), but found out today it's the one that came with the lift kit. When wheel is turned where the play is, the bottom of arm and the joint spread apart a bit as if the geometry is off (why we thought it was the stock arm). When the tires start to catch, the joint doesn't have that weird movement. The bushing is messed up, guessing that might be part of the problem.

Here's a pic:



A lot of you guys know what you're talking about so please help! If you need more pictures or video even, let me know.

Thanks

 

If all the play is in your steering box, your getting ready to need a new one. There is some adjustments that can be made to the steering box but it's not going to fix that much play.

 

It's done it since I put the lift on. only 7k miles on lift and 8k total. So I don't think wear is an issue. The play is all the down to that joint from the pitman arm. We traced that movement at the joint and the intensity of the movement lowered significantly as you moved your way to the right wheel area.

Now that I think about it, a few weeks after lift was new, i got the front end hung in a ditch and had to angle back hard to miss a tree. Had to re-center the steering wheel. probably the culprit? it was off almost 90 degrees.

 

I have the same problem with the play in the steering wheel... Lift installed after about 2000 miles on the Jeep and it has done it since the lift.