Ok guys and gals I got a strange one here so please read on. About 6 weeks ago I noticed the steering getting tight on my '16 JKUR with 74,000 miles. I have been trying to figure out what's going on with it and I even brought it into the dealer. First let me say this was the Jeeps first ever trip to the dealer (not really a fan) but I wanted to have the Transmission filter and fluid changed so while it was in there I asked them to check out the steering. First tech says it's the lift.. and this is why I'm not a fan. I tell them its NOT the lift (2.5"Teraflex). The lift has 64,000 miles on it and I've never had a problem. They have a second, more experienced tech look at it the next day and he said its the lower steering shaft. I told them to drop the jeep and I'll come pick it up. I was confident it was neither of these but if it was the lower steering shaft I can replace that myself. Over the next week or so I lifted the front and checked steering components with and without engine running looking for anything out of the ordinary. I removed the steering stabilizer to see if that made a difference. I flushed the steering fluid and checked for any air in the system. Everything looked ok. Then yesterday (here's the crazy part) I take it up to the car wash like I often do and drop 10 bucks on a good deep clean spraying the undercarriage, frame, axles, springs, etc. Guess what...as soon as I pull away steering is perfect. Then I remember about 3 weeks ago it was rainy pretty good and I was hitting any good puddles I could find and after getting yelled at by the wife (haha) I said to her then it seemed like the steering got better. I didn't think much of it then but now there is a clear connection. I bet it tightens up again in a few days and I'll do the same and see if it gets better to confirm. So... what do you all think? Ball Joints? Tie Rods? All advice is appreciated.



Thanks!!

 

I can't help, but it's funny that my little John Deere garden tractor does the same thing. I grease all the available fittings and don't notice a change. If I spray the front end with a hose, all of the sudden it feels like the thing has power steering.

 

Given your troubleshooting steps already, it seems like you'd be able to narrow it down a little further by spraying just the tie rod ends and see what happens.

Factory ball joints, tie rod, and drag link? They shouldn't be worn out yet, though I wouldn't be surprised if the ball joints were on the way out. I don't see where the water would give sufficient lubrication to a sealed system, but ya never know.

 

Well I just power washed it again yesterday and ONLY sprayed the tie rod ends and ball joints NOT anything in engine bay (steering shaft, etc) and it loosened up again so I'm just going to replace everything it all. I already have new ball joints and axle u-joint so looking at what parts to replace tie rod ends with something I can grease. Just put a post up with parts for some advice if anyone cares to lend a hand.