Got a weird steering issue...

[hellswraith]

This is my first time posting here, and I could use some help to put me on the right path.

This morning I backed my 80 CJ5 out of the driveway and when I started going forward I was heading slightly right towards the curb on the right side of the road. I was turning the steering wheel to the left to correct and go straight when I noticed it took a lot of effort to do so. It was almost like it was somewhat stuck. More force than normal was applied to the steering wheel to correct it. It felt like once I got it 'unstuck', it was back to normal again. I was worried about driving it, so I just took it home and got a ride from my wife to work.

I got home, looked over everything, and I didn't see any obvious issues. I went to take it for a test drive like I did this morning, and I got the same results. Once the steering appeared to get 'unstuck', it seemed to respond normally. I can't see what is happening as I am driving it, but the feeling it gave me was like one tire didn't want to turn (right side).

Anyone have a good guess as to what I should be looking for?

 

[mylittlecj5]

are you locked in 4wd by chance? Are the hubs locked in or out?

 

[hellswraith]

No, in 2WD, both hubs are in the 2WD position. First thing I checked.

 

[IOPort51]

time to jack it up put it on stands and check the front end,brakes, u-joints, etc,etc,etc.

 

[Sasquach]

Power steering? check your fluid if so.

 

[TDHofstetter]

I agree that it's time to jack it up & set it on jackstands & don't let it come back down until you figure out what's happening. All you need is for that to happen on the Interstate on your way into Seattle.

 

[CJ]

Sure sounds like a binding issue - I have seen the gear box do this as well.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/steering-problems-1664/

 

[81laredo]

I had a similar issue with my '81. Turned out to be the Pin in the Locking Steering portion of the Steering Column. There is a Plate located under the Steering Wheel that a Pin locates into when the Ignition Key is rotated to the Lock Position. It was easy to pull the Steering Wheel using a Steering Wheel Puller and then the problem was easy to identify. There is a Spring that retracts the Pin and if the Pin does not get pulled back it would bind by staying locked into the Plate and yet when Forced it would then retract out of the Plate.
I removed the Pin because I will be towing the CJ7 with my Motorhome.