Stiff Steering '01 XJ

[bobinyelm]

Bob, one more quesiton for you: Did you notice after loosening it that the jeep wandered at all on the road? While my steering is really stiff right now, the jeep is SOLID straight on the highway, doesn't wander at all. Did anything change for you with this? I would rather deal with the stiff steering then it walking on me. TIA

Not in the least.

In fact it feels MORE stable than before, because it follows the road nicely, so I don't have to make small corrections against the friction in the steering system itself.

There is no "play" or lost motion after readjustment whatsoever.

NOW, if you loosen the adjustment too far, you will feel "play" where the week turns effortlessly +/- a bit, then comes up against friction either side of it (like gear backlash).

It still isn't as "loose" as my 2000TJ or 1996 XJ (by loose I mean ease of steering, not any impreciseness or instability), but it's acceptable. Less friction than I still have would be nice, but it is not a PITA to drive anymore. None of my Jeeps mentioned has any play in the wheel.

Up until readjustment I HATED to drive the damned thing! It was just not fun.

"Solid" and "hard to turn the wheel" are really different things in my mind. Effortless steering can also be precise (though I don't like too light, either).

I don't mind moderate steering effort, BTW. I just want the effort to be in turning the tires on the pavement, and NOT feel like it is in overcoming friction inside the steering box itself.

Bob