I have alot of play in my steering..way too much, what's the issue?

1995 JEEP CHEROKEE

157,000 MILES

THIRTY3

MEMBER
1 POST

I recently am having steering issues. power steering fluid was low a few weeks ago, so we put some in..recently I heard a few popping noises and now the steering is extremely loose..I have lost turning abuility in my right hand turns and again the steering is extremly loose

Dec 18, 2011 at 2:06 PM

CARADIODOC

✓Experienced Mechanic
34,367 POSTS

The symptoms suggest you have a rack and pinion steering assembly and it is coming apart. That starts with fluid leakage, then as it gets worse, the pinion gear can skip over the teeth on the rack. You might find the steering wheel has shifted position too but it has to be really bad for that to happen.

Wear can prevent the spool valve from opening and allowing pressurized fluid to provide the power assist for turning, and it usually affects turning one way worse than the other way.

Dec 18, 2011 at 3:35 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

✓Experienced Mechanic
11,004 POSTS

I'D SAY IT'S ONE OF THOSE "DRIVE NO MORE THINGS", UNTIL YOU GET IT FIXED!

DEFECTIVE STEERING IS KINDA ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT MIGHT HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS NEAR YOU

LET US KNOW WHAT YOUR RESULTS ARE

THE MEDIC

Dec 18, 2011 at 7:36 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

✓Experienced Mechanic
110,240 POSTS

I agree with both. Any steering issues need to be addressed ASAP.

Dec 18, 2011 at 10:46 PM

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