Weird scary steering, does not return to center on it's own

[nickastaldo]

Hey everyone, I've tried searching for this problem that I have, but have yet to find anything like my problem. I recently bought a 91 Laredo that came with the problem of not returning to center. Theres no binding that I can feel, and the power steering works good, almost too good, actually. The only "diagnostics" I did was look underneath the truck while someone slowly turned the wheel from left to right. There seemed to be nothing loose. Also, while driving, I'll turn off the truck (to eliminate power steering) and turn the wheel, and the wheel will return to center. So, it would seem it would be the power steering pump, or gear box. Anyone have an experience with something like this? I want to get this fixed shortly as it's pretty scary to drive, and I bought for my wife to haul around the kiddos. :roll:

Thanks for any help,
Nick

 

[heyhar]

Sounds like a spanked steering gear box. Given its age (how many miles?), it may need to be replaced. Was probably 'adjusted' by a previous owner. Sounds like it's too tight, but probably that way to mask just how bad it's worn.
You don't mention any lift. Caster angles help to keep the wheel straight, and if it's been lifted, it may be out of the range of adjustment. Get it figured out soon!

 

[nickastaldo]

It has no lift, and just hit 190,000 miles. I'll probably buy a reman steering box from the auto parts store. Steering boxes don't need any adjustments out of the box, do they? Thanks.

 

[heyhar]

We've had bad luck with 'reman' boxes, from my son's '95 XJ, all the way back to the '70s, while playing with my '63 Pontiac. I lived in Philly , and took the car to A/1-Cardone, and asked them what was wrong. They played with it for a while, gave me another box (which was just as bad), and ultimately I just got my money back, but still had a crappy box. The best luck we've had is to grab one out of a lower mile donor. Do some research to see what else will fit, as it's not an uncommon box. We're spoiled living near Harry's U Pull It, as there's always multiples of whatever we need for an XJ, but this shouldn't be too hard to find a replacement for.
I vote to go used, because these guys are expensive to buy new or reman.

 

[joe_peters]

Search Durango steering upgrade.

 

[rustbeltxj]

check the steering dampener that might be shot and causing the steering to bind and its way cheaper then a box and easier to check just unbolt from one side and turn the wheel

 

[sjx40250]

Be forwarned that the 91/92 steers much lighter than some other years. Do a search. Did you check your toe-in?

 

[nickastaldo]

I didn't check toe-in or anything alignment yet because of the test I did with shutting off the truck. When there's no power steering, it returns to center as it should.

Also, rustbeltxj, my father-in-law said it was probably my steering dampener, but I thought that was just to prevent unsafe/uncommanded steering when hitting a bump or something.

Thanks for everyones replys. I'll research this durango upgrade, and possibly call a couple of salvage yards for low mileage XJ's.

 

[welder-for to long]

did you try to back the adjuster out a bit its really easy.if somebody adjusted it to much that will cause the problem your having.it may not be the reason for it but its a cheap fix if it is.and it doesnt take long loosing the jam nut back the set bolt out a bit then tighting the jam nut and see how it gos from there.also check and see if the frame is cracked around the steering box my friends was cracked and it was causing all sorts of weird steering problems.

 

[nickastaldo]

I did back out the adjusting nut about a 1/4 of a turn (from reading the forums), and it did nothing. I didn't adjust it any further because some things that I read made it sound like all hell can break loose! I'll have to check the frame when I get home, but I didn't notice anything major when I adjusted it.

 

[CharlesS]

Have the alignment check first before you do anything else....
Caster that is below 5* will cause the symptoms you are describing.

To test the theory of a cracked uniframe where the steering box mounts; have someone turn the steering wheel and listen for creaks and snaps where the box mounts....

The last thing to do would be replace the steering box due to slop in the steering.

 

[heyhar]

Caster is the easiest thing to have checked. Take the vehicle to a front end shop, not necessarily a tire retailer (although sometimes you can run into the right person), and ask for an alignment. Part of the service will be to check the condition of all the components. Explain the steering problem. If anything is not right, a knowlegable tech will discover it. Possibly it can be aligned, even with a bad box. But, it probably needs an alignment anyway, and then you can rule out caster and toe. We can only ponder a problem like this on the Internet, possibly pointing you in the right direction. But, something like this needs a qualified pro to diagnose, especially as it's safety related. Just observe if you can, and ask questions, trying to understand it. That's how most of us have gotten through the School of Hard Knocks.

 

[Andy Steiner]

Caster is the easiest thing to have checked. Take the vehicle to a front end shop, not necessarily a tire retailer (although sometimes you can run into the right person), and ask for an alignment. Part of the service will be to check the condition of all the components. Explain the steering problem. If anything is not right, a knowlegable tech will discover it. Possibly it can be aligned, even with a bad box. But, it probably needs an alignment anyway, and then you can rule out caster and toe. We can only ponder a problem like this on the Internet, possibly pointing you in the right direction. But, something like this needs a qualified pro to diagnose, especially as it's safety related. Just observe if you can, and ask questions, trying to understand it. That's how most of us have gotten through the School of Hard Knocks.

Caster and camber are not adjustable on a stock XJ. An alignment on an XJ involves adjusting the Toe In and centering the steering wheel. Period.

That being said, heyhar's advice to take the vehicle to a quality alignment shop is still sound advice. Badly worn ball joints can cause camber to be out of spec. Damaged control arms or worn bushings can cause caster issues. A good tech should be able to spot any worn parts that might cause the symptoms.


The only time my steering would not self center, the problem was that the toe in was waaaay out of spec. In fact it was 3/8" Toe Out. One tire always wanted to go one way and thus would never self center. Adjusted it to 1/8" Toe In and everything worked fine.


If you have a friend, a tape measure and a jack do your own inspection. Have a friend turn the steering wheel while you inspect each component of the steering linkage. Every nut, every tie rod end, your track bar mount, and steering box mount. Measure and adjust your toe in. Jack up the front tires and check the ball joints for movement or play.

Report back.

 

[heyhar]

Caster IS adjustable on the XJ. In the body-end (rear) of the lower control arm mounts, there are two little bolts, facing the rear, that hold the shims to adjust the caster. Once the main control arm bolts are loosened, the nuts on the little bolts are loosened, and the inner piece can slide, to add or subtract shims. Most folks don't realize this can be done.

 

[keep0njeepin0n]

Ok ok, so from what I'm reading, when you drive and turn the wheel, it does not re-center itself, but if you turn the key off while driving to eliminate the power steering, then it DOES re-center itself correct?? If it is correct, then by eliminating your power steering by turning the key off, with the wheel re-centering as it should, tells me that your caster is correct, or at least close enough, and everyone suggesting caster has overlooked this fact! Because, at that point, the only thing you have working is physics and wheel alignment angles....you've taken the power steering COMPLETELY out of the equation!

We call this, memory steer! Now, I do not know for certain about your year model XJ, but some vehicles have a pressure switch that is supposed to equalize the pressure (re-center) when there is no input (turning of steering wheel) from the driver.

Now, with that being said, ask someone on here that knows more about your specific year model, and ask them if the switch is separate, built into the pump, or built into the gearbox itself!!

 

[Ogrebonz]

Just thought I'd add my two cents. My 2000 XJ is having a similar issue, steering not returning to center. I didn't test the power steering by shutting the engine down, but I did take it to have an alignment done. Everything is set to specs, but the left side ball joints are too stiff to allow the knuckle to be turned with the tie rod removed. One of the joys of life in the rust belt, rusted balljoints. I'm sure 180k on them adds to the issue. The right side turn freely, but have a bit of slop.
Guess what I get to do next weekend?

 

[GSequoia]

Caster and camber are not adjustable on a stock XJ. An alignment on an XJ involves adjusting the Toe In and centering the steering wheel. Period.

That being said, heyhar's advice to take the vehicle to a quality alignment shop is still sound advice. Badly worn ball joints can cause camber to be out of spec. Damaged control arms or worn bushings can cause caster issues. A good tech should be able to spot any worn parts that might cause the symptoms.


The only time my steering would not self center, the problem was that the toe in was waaaay out of spec. In fact it was 3/8" Toe Out. One tire always wanted to go one way and thus would never self center. Adjusted it to 1/8" Toe In and everything worked fine.


If you have a friend, a tape measure and a jack do your own inspection. Have a friend turn the steering wheel while you inspect each component of the steering linkage. Every nut, every tie rod end, your track bar mount, and steering box mount. Measure and adjust your toe in. Jack up the front tires and check the ball joints for movement or play.

Report back.

Actually assuming a stock or near-stock setup castor is adjustable via the shims at the rear lower control arm mount (not sure if drop brackets include these shims).

Camber is only quazi-adjustable with adjustable ball joints (think band-aid) and in my opinion if you've got bad camber it's time for a new 30, they're a dime a dozen anyway