Wandering steering

The steering wheel is really off center on my 02 4x4 and I'm getting a wandering feeling or nonresponsive wheel. The steering wheel will feel like it's not moving the wheels for about a quarter turn (this happens to be the amount the steering wheel is of center). The steering is tight once that quarter turn is past.

I'm not sure if it just needs an alignment or if there could be something wrong. Any ideas??

Any good alignment shop should inspect front end, and make recommendations if required.
You are kinda describing a bit of slack steering and off center, which the align shop can take care of.
A KJ alignment should happen once a year, or more when you lift em and bang rocks for fun ha ha..:icon_lol:

With that much play expect to replace some parts. Or some attachment point of steering rack or suspension component is broken.

Bob


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So what parts should I check out? Or do I need to go through every piece?

Look at your steering rack mounts. Mine felt like that when the rack broke loose from one of the mounts. The welds have a tendency to break.

eyehatetofu said:

Look at your steering rack mounts. Mine felt like that when the rack broke loose from one of the mounts. The welds have a tendency to break.

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That's what I had in mind. I always think of older Ford Escorts where the rack fastened to a sub frame assy that'd break off. The vehicle would pull like hell while accelerating, then leap the other direction when you got off the accelerator.

Bob


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How many miles?

The rack would have significant wear on the teeth at the center (where the pinion spends 99% if its time).

178000 miles. It didn't come on very slowly. I had it aligned 6 months ago but they couldn't get the right rear cam bolt loose so it was still off some. I've put about 1000 miles on since then and it's been getting worse and worse. I do have oversized tires. I'll put it up on stands this weekend and check for broken parts.

I would check the steering rod from the firewall all the way to where it attaches to the steering rack. See if there is any wiggle. When I changed my rack I put the knuckle on the opposite side on the rack connector and it was wobbly. There should be a notch on the rack side for the bolt on the knuckle so make sure it is installed the right way. And also check the ps fluid and look for the leaks on the rack and it's boots may be air is getting in and making it act up.