Steering Problem

Driving the jeep to work this morning, and when I hit about 25 mph my front wheels developed a SEVERE steering problem. They were vibrating back and forth so badly that the jeep was bouncing before I could get it stopped. Haven't had any problems like this in the past - or any other steering problems for that matter.

'74, 304, power steering (pump has been leaking through the cap a little lately), no death wobble (any worse than any other jeep), tie rod ends a little worn but not bad enough to do this. Sudden problem. As the tires shimmied back and forth the steering wheel did not move.

Jacked up the front tonight to take a look - as I said tie rod ends okay and no other obvious issues with steering components except for something odd. Had my son steer back and forth a little so I could see how everything moved. (Jeep turned off) Only strange thing was the power steering pump made real odd sqwelching and sucking sounds and started to pour out the top. It's not over-filled. Also seemed like there might be too much play in the steering. With the steering wheel held still should I be able to reef the tires back and forth and get significant movement from within the steering box?

Come on guys - step up and take a swing at this one. I've never worked on power steering before, and I'm not sure where to start. If that's it in the first place.

 

although you may indeed have a problem with your power steering pump/and or box, the true fault probably lies elsewhere.
a thorugh check of the whole front end might be necc: ball joints, wheel bearings, tire balance, toe in, TREs etc etc
cracks in the frame around the spring hangars, steering box, broken frame behind the front spring rear mount, worn out spring bushings, lots and lots of possibilities
wish it were only one item and that simple...
get out your creeper and crawl around with good lighting; look for shiny metal where the edges might touch and rub
have a helper turn the wheel while you crawl around the whole front end, watching and listening and feeling
only way I know to go about it

 

Most of those I've checked, but I'm still crawling around. The thing that bothers me is the suddenness of the problem, so I guess I tend towards "broken" things rather than worn out.
Still - anything is possible so I'll keep looking.

Oh, and since I've never posted a picture...

 

If things are a little loose, I'd suspect the steering geometry. Specifically the toe-in.

 

To your question on the moving the tires without moving the wheel NO! If you can move your tires back and forth and the wheel doesn't move you gots serious issues. IIRC a rebuilt power steering box was under $150. I would be afraid to drive it.

 

How about a wheel bearing going south that might explain the suddeness of the problem

 

have you tried jacking up the jeep and check your front wheels for play? possible loose front bearings.

 

Steering gear box is loose.

Like about says.

jack it up and tighen everything up.

I would not go over 10 mph.

My truck box went loose and it was very scary.

 

Thanks guys. I kept it under 15 mph all the way home, and it still wasn't fun. At least it was close.

It had an appointment in the shop the next day for some welding anyway, so I had them take a look - turned out to be the bearings in the steering knuckles. Only the mud and grease were holding them in place real well, and when they let loose they set everything off. Looked fine until they got a pry bar in there and showed me what to look for.

Just glad I wasn't on the freeway...