Steering rattle

[jk_renegade01]

Originally Posted by abanditv2

I believe that I had the same issue with my previous 2 JKs , fixed it by greasing the collapsible steering shaft engine side under the rubber with turntable grease , fixed the problem, never returned.

I'll give it a go, but it feels like there is more to it than just grease, it feels like something is loose or broken.

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[Banshee]

Checking for loose/worn parts, my go-to is to have someone in the car turning the wheel left/right while feeling for loose joints or bolts.

For vibration, like you describe, I'd be suspicious of an out of round tyre first. I'd try swapping front/rear on each side, or if you are due for a balance, ask them to check the tyres for 'roundness'.

Next suspect would be a front wheel bearing going out.

[st_za]

I would start with the easy to check ball joints, adjuster sleeves and tie rod bolts, especially if you can feel or hear it only when you're turning and doubly especially when you're not moving and turning the wheel.

If you can feel it even when going straight and especially if it's rhythmic and it's tempo changes with speed, then I would start with the wheels, bearings, axles, etc. and work my way back to the steering.

A really easy way to see what everything is doing is to take an action cam with a sticky mount and stick a rare earth magnet from Bunnings or Jaycar to it, then stick it on the bumper or frame pointing at the suspension. Just as much as seeing what's happening, hearing noises in the video that I couldn't from inside the cab has helped me narrow down the culprit in the past.

It may be a stupid question but is the steering wheel on tight? If you pull back on it, is there any give?

[RLT]

Just throwing this one in
Only vibration experienced was due to worn front axle pinion bearings.
This was caused by a partly seized UJ on drive shaft.
When took off, UJ only articulated one way and must have been going out for quite some time. Only started to get the vibration over 60MPH (96kph) after it probably eventually dried out.
Got an available 'cheapy' tack welded in 'mistake'
Couple of years later, when next taking the drive shaft off to get the 'Can' replaced on the other end as the rubber had perished over the years and spitting grease, found the UJ was seized one way again. So ordered a Spicer this time which they again tack welded in & rebalanced the shaft.
Checked for movement in pinion bearings which felt solid & OK 'Phew' as it wasn't cheap to get done and finding an axle guy to do it rare.
Going to have periodically unbolt shaft to check articulation for piece of mind.

[jk_renegade01]

Originally Posted by Banshee

Checking for loose/worn parts, my go-to is to have someone in the car turning the wheel left/right while feeling for loose joints or bolts.



For vibration, like you describe, I'd be suspicious of an out of round tyre first. I'd try swapping front/rear on each side, or if you are due for a balance, ask them to check the tyres for 'roundness'.



Next suspect would be a front wheel bearing going out.

Vibration is probably the wrong word, it's more of a rattling and it absolutely feels like it's in the steering arm, BUT could be a bearing in the wheel for sure, I've arranged a pre purchase inspection and asked them specifically to inspect the rattle,

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[jk_renegade01]

Originally Posted by st_za

I would start with the easy to check ball joints, adjuster sleeves and tie rod bolts, especially if you can feel or hear it only when you're turning and doubly especially when you're not moving and turning the wheel.

If you can feel it even when going straight and especially if it's rhythmic and it's tempo changes with speed, then I would start with the wheels, bearings, axles, etc. and work my way back to the steering.

A really easy way to see what everything is doing is to take an action cam with a sticky mount and stick a rare earth magnet from Bunnings or Jaycar to it, then stick it on the bumper or frame pointing at the suspension. Just as much as seeing what's happening, hearing noises in the video that I couldn't from inside the cab has helped me narrow down the culprit in the past.

It may be a stupid question but is the steering wheel on tight? If you pull back on it, is there any give?

I like the magnet idea and will certainly give that a crack if the pre purchase inspection dude can't identify it.

The rattle only happens when the vehicle is in motion and didn't feel rhythmic, it happenedwhiledriving straight, it was smooth as silk when turning, my first thought was that the steering wheel was loose (that's exactly what it feels like), but it was rock solid,

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