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Inch of play before wheels start turning

Discussion in 'Cherokee' started by Billy1234, May 20, 2019.

  1. May 20, 2019 at 3:05 PM
    #1
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So my 1997 XJ has about a inch of play before it starts to actually turn the wheels. Any idea what that could be? Everything is stock.
     
  2. May 20, 2019 at 3:45 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    I would start with bushings, and make sure everything is tight.
     
    JKBob 25 and Billy1234[OP] like this.
  3. May 20, 2019 at 4:05 PM
    #3
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks @chris4x4
     
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  4. May 20, 2019 at 4:23 PM
    #4
    TJ_abuser

    TJ_abuser Well-Known Member

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    I think there is a jam nut and bolt on top of the of the steering box that will force the pinion further down into the ring gear bit if this needs to be done it's a sign the gears are well worn and prob better to replace steering box they are not that expensive.
     
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  5. May 20, 2019 at 8:21 PM
    #5
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Had same issue with my 2000 XJ. Tried a streering box brace and replaced bushings with polyurethane. Cleared most of the play up. Just figured at that point....it was an XJ characteristic. But an inch is quite a bit of play..
    So you find a fix dude??
     
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  6. May 21, 2019 at 7:33 AM
    #6
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm ganna go threw it today after I get out of work if it's nice out will post up what I find out
     
  7. May 22, 2019 at 2:46 AM
    #7
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So @TJ_abuser was right on the money I tighted the nut and bolt on top of the steering box still had a ton of play so went threw bushings that dont look to bad but I need a new steering box. Oh well not to bad
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2019
    chris4x4 and JKBob 25[QUOTED] like this.
  8. May 23, 2019 at 3:08 PM
    #8
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Need advice on spacers that are sorta cheap but good my rear tires are rubbing on the side walls on the inside got about a 1/16th took off
     
  9. May 23, 2019 at 3:31 PM
    #9
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    Running SpiderTrax spacers on my JK. Stick with quality brand, hub-centric and installed/maintain correctly.
     
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  10. May 23, 2019 at 6:24 PM
    #10
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    I'm running Rugged Ridge 1 1/2 spacers. No issues. I also check them every tire rotation. AND, as @aggrex makes us aware of. Don't forget to remove the retaining clips on the lug studs.
     
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  11. May 23, 2019 at 6:57 PM
    #11
    TJ_abuser

    TJ_abuser Well-Known Member

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    Do you have a 2 inch lift? If so you can fix that with a adjustable rear track bar also is it only the drivers side rubbing or both? Mine was only on the drivers till I put on adjustable track bar . Smells nasty too as it's rubbing off slowly.
     
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  12. May 23, 2019 at 6:59 PM
    #12
    TJ_abuser

    TJ_abuser Well-Known Member

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    I went with offset wheels cuz I'm way old school and do not believe in spacers.
     
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  13. May 24, 2019 at 7:58 AM
    #13
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I would so rather do new wheels then spacers but I dont have the money for wheels right now just spacers so I gotta go with that sadly but I wont been wheeling it anytime soon so I should be ok
     
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  14. May 24, 2019 at 10:15 AM
    #14
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    Whether wheeling, yahooing or daily driven quality wheel spacers proper installation > thread locker > torqued can be a viable alternative to new wheels. IMO the thin cheaper pot metal lug centric wheel spacer designs probably gave wheel spacers a bad reputation. The 1.5" SpiderTrax wheel spacers are machined billet aluminum with pressed in studs. Don't use the thin pot metal washer type spacer or adapters.

    IMG_20190524_130940_edit.jpg
    IMG_20190524_130927_edit1_edit.jpg
     
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  15. May 24, 2019 at 11:00 AM
    #15
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: May 24, 2019
  16. May 24, 2019 at 11:56 AM
    #16
    Billy1234

    Billy1234 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I should prolly make a thread for this but whatever I'll keep it going here. So would the rugged ridge fit my xj I only see fitments for wranglers I know I got the same bolt patter just wanna know if I'm right with them fitting my xj
     
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  17. May 24, 2019 at 7:25 PM
    #17
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    aggrex likes this.
  18. May 24, 2019 at 8:01 PM
    #18
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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    TJ Wrangler had 5x4.5 bolt pattern.

    I too would rather have offset wheels but it wasn't in the budget so I am currently running these and haven't had an issue.

    RockTrix for Precision European - 2pc 1.25" Thick Hubcentric 5x4.5 Wheel Spacers (71.5mm bore, 1/2" studs) for Jeep Cherokee XJ Grand Cherokee ZJ Wrangler YJ TJ Liberty KJ KK Comanche (32mm 5x114.3) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KPIUC7C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_79k6CbRYSMS53
     
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  19. May 24, 2019 at 11:18 PM
    #19
    TJ_abuser

    TJ_abuser Well-Known Member

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  20. May 24, 2019 at 11:19 PM
    #20
    TJ_abuser

    TJ_abuser Well-Known Member

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    And I have 5 factory aluminums for sale my originals
     

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