Steering Issue in Gladiator front end

[JTF_3]

I have recently noticed that there is a very loud clunk noise coming from my front end when returning the wheel from left side lock. It only happens at one spot of the roatation. Thought maybe trackbar issue so I recorded the drivers side connection. Doesn’t seem to have any play but there is a very distinct rattling near it when shaking steering wheel back and forth while truck is off. Steering wheel favors the left side and pulls to the right and also feels very loose. Tried readjusting the steering wheel myself but it’s still continues to favors the left side. Little over 8,000 miles with a 3.5 inch rough country lift. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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[Hootbro]

There is a TSB out there for low speed clunk noise when turning. Fix is to check the torque on the lower ball joints.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

There is a TSB out there for low speed clunk noise when turning. Fix is to check the torque on the lower ball joints.

Hootbro means this one ->

 

[JTF_3]

Thank you both! Will check and re-torque if needed. See if this fixes the isssue.

 

[ThorJT]

Question about the tsb, i have a very noticeable clunk noise when turning the steering wheel, but only when sitting still. Brand new ball joints, yeti xd tie rods and drag link, and steersmart sector brace. Didn't start until after the shop installed the lift and re gear

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Question about the tsb, i have a very noticeable clunk noise when turning the steering wheel, but only when sitting still. Brand new ball joints, yeti xd tie rods and drag link, and steersmart sector brace. Didn't start until after the shop installed the lift and re gear

TSB has nothing to do with any parts other than the steering gear. You've totally rebuilt the "front end", and if they aren't MOPAR parts, any clunk that is a result of those parts is on you and not Jeep.
The TSB is for wandering, pull, or looseness feel in the steering and not clunks or sounds or anything else. With all of your changes, they may take a look and say, sorry, the issues are likely your replacement parts.
If your truck is within factory alignment specs, you have a better shot, but still, a clunk isn't related to the TSB - the TSB is for Jeeps that are still within factory alignment specs and wander, pull or have a loose feeling steering.
Unless the clunk was caused by "the shop" (and you don't say what shop - Jeep dealer or other), you likely won't get far. "The shop" is responsible for the work they did - they guarantee their labor, their work, the supplier of the parts warrants the parts.

 

[ThorJT]

I guess I should have rephrased what i was trying to say. After rereading it it sounds like half a thought instead of finished thought. It was stated that it was for a low speed clunk. Mine is only while sitting still and was curious if it was only while moving

TSB has nothing to do with any parts other than the steering gear. You've totally rebuilt the "front end", and if they aren't MOPAR parts, any clunk that is a result of those parts is on you and not Jeep.
The TSB is for wandering, pull, or looseness feel in the steering and not clunks or sounds or anything else. With all of your changes, they may take a look and say, sorry, the issues are likely your replacement parts.
If your truck is within factory alignment specs, you have a better shot, but still, a clunk isn't related to the TSB - the TSB is for Jeeps that are still within factory alignment specs and wander, pull or have a loose feeling steering.
Unless the clunk was caused by "the shop" (and you don't say what shop - Jeep dealer or other), you likely won't get far. "The shop" is responsible for the work they did - they guarantee their labor, their work, the supplier of the parts warrants the parts.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

At least it’s when sitting still. Have a friend do the steering thing as you’re underneath with a mechanic stethoscope. You’ll find the problem in 2 minutes

 

[chorky]

There is a TSB out there for low speed clunk noise when turning. Fix is to check the torque on the lower ball joints.

Hootbro means this one ->

Figured I would post here instead of making a new thread. Over the last couple weeks I noticed in the mornings when going to work there was a very hard to recognize clunk when returning to straight from a full left lock. Last week I tried to reproduce the sound and heard it both sides - any time of day, so not a 'cold morning' type of thing. Steer to full lock, slowly return straight and approx 1/8 of a steering wheel return toward center from full lock it 'clunks'. It does feel to wander a tad on the highway but I attributed that to the crazy deep ruts the semis make. So today I got under the rig and felt and looked at all steering items as the sound was reproduced by a friend. Well guess what I saw. At full lock, or close to, the steering gear was actually pulling away from the frame. VERY little. Just barely enough that a thin piece of paper could probably slip in there between the steering gear and the frame. Yes I actually would see a gap, small as it was, as it was turned to full lock. As the wheel was slowly returned away from full lock, as the gear went back flush with the frame one could hear the 'clunk'.

Any ideas? Hoping as simple as a poorly torqued steering gear bolts. I did try them but couldn't budge them. But kinda worried it's more serious.

2022 JTR
steering gear is black - likely the steel one since I think they did away with the alum option
570 miles
fully stock
has not seen more than 5 miles of dirt

I will be calling the dealer tomorrow if I get time but was curious if anyone else was experiencing this.

 

[Renegade]

Figured I would post here instead of making a new thread. Over the last couple weeks I noticed in the mornings when going to work there was a very hard to recognize clunk when returning to straight from a full left lock. Last week I tried to reproduce the sound and heard it both sides - any time of day, so not a 'cold morning' type of thing. Steer to full lock, slowly return straight and approx 1/8 of a steering wheel return toward center from full lock it 'clunks'. It does feel to wander a tad on the highway but I attributed that to the crazy deep ruts the semis make. So today I got under the rig and felt and looked at all steering items as the sound was reproduced by a friend. Well guess what I saw. At full lock, or close to, the steering gear was actually pulling away from the frame. VERY little. Just barely enough that a thin piece of paper could probably slip in there between the steering gear and the frame. Yes I actually would see a gap, small as it was, as it was turned to full lock. As the wheel was slowly returned away from full lock, as the gear went back flush with the frame one could hear the 'clunk'.

Any ideas? Hoping as simple as a poorly torqued steering gear bolts. I did try them but couldn't budge them. But kinda worried it's more serious.

2022 JTR
steering gear is black - likely the steel one since I think they did away with the alum option
570 miles
fully stock
has not seen more than 5 miles of dirt

I will be calling the dealer tomorrow if I get time but was curious if anyone else was experiencing this.

My steering box was loose at some point in the first 10k miles. I torqued it myself and didn’t have any further problems (of that nature). If I recall correctly, the spec is 99 ft/lbs. double check that though…

 

[chorky]

My steering box was loose at some point in the first 10k miles. I torqued it myself and didn’t have any further problems (of that nature). If I recall correctly, the spec is 99 ft/lbs. double check that though…

Helpful thank you. Ifeel like this is the issue, and will check tomorrow if I can get my hands on a torque wrench. Hoping its not something worse. Did you happen to find any other fasteners that came loose??

Does anyone have access to a shop manual that can confirm the torque spec?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My steering box was loose at some point in the first 10k miles. I torqued it myself and didn’t have any further problems (of that nature). If I recall correctly, the spec is 99 ft/lbs. double check that though…

Is that one of the items that is torque + xx degrees?
Seems to me there was something on mine I checked and I had to track the degrees after hitting the torque measurement.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/torque-values-for-jeep-jl-wrangler.17791/

 

[chorky]

Is that one of the items that is torque + xx degrees?
Seems to me there was something on mine I checked and I had to track the degrees after hitting the torque measurement.

your referencing tty (torque to yield) bolts. I wouldnt think the gearbox would have those….

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/torque-values-for-jeep-jl-wrangler.17791/

sweet thank you. According to this they should be 133 ft-lb

 

[silverandscout]

sweet thank you. According to this they should be 133 ft-lb

Chorky, I copied the info below from the link provided above. That is 133 Newton Meters, not foot pounds. It's kinda screwy how these torque values are written all in a row. In foot pounds, the torque value is 99.

Cheers

STEERING GEAR

Part |Nm |ft. lbs. | in. lbs. | Comments
Adjuster screw lock nut | 45 | 33 | - |
Power steering gear bolts | 133 | 99 | - |
Power steering gear pitman shaft nut | 250 | 184 | - |
Power steering gear pressure line | 28 | 21 | - |
Power steering gear return line | 28 | 21 | - |

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