steering wheel doesnt return to center

[new2jeepguy]

i have a 1997 grand cherokee the steering wheel doesnt return to center i changed the steering box, no change . i changed the steering damper ,  no difference.  it  was in a  front end  accident  but i had it aligned so think the front ends ok. it doesnt bind or have tight spots   any ideas anyone??  i was told maybe p/s pump relief   valve etc etc    any chance there is a tie rod or some other steering geometry thats damaged that i cant notice??   thanks

[tubby]

Is your steering wheel cocked to one side while you drive straight down the road?

Rotate the drag-link turnbuckle until your steering wheel is back to center.

[jkrubi]

Does it pull to one side? How bad was the collision? Could you have frame damage? What parts have you changed since your alignment? Is the jeep flighty/ wandering when you drive since the alignment? What are the numbers for the alignment?

It sounds like it needs a new alignment, as return to center is a castor issue. Have you tried different tires? Rotated the tires, to see if it gets better/worse?

[heep-a-lop]

ran into this on a dakota the other day.....  ended up being the steering shaft from the column down to the box both u joints where solidly jammed on this one yours might be just starting to bind.....  for the tiem it takes to remove if u got air might be worth a quick check make sure they are smooth going both directions like a drive shaft.....  u can sometimes replace the joints but that dakota ended up being the whole shaft 400 new.. found it used ended up being the wrong one....2000 dakota has a special shaft( yes i said special shaft).....  worth a try for u.....

[new2jeepguy]

hmmm the steering wheel isn,t off center   it just wont come back to center after turning   i,m thinkng it is a litle stiff so ill check the shaft u joint  maybe its actually damaged   or seizing like u think .  damage was  what i would call minor   dont think frame is damaged.  i have also been told what 1 of u said re camber   thanks everybody  if i figure it out i,ll let ya know what it was

[binare]

Not camber, caster, completely different. Buddies got a d21 we got for a parts truck with the same exact same issue, caster is off, pulls hard to the left if you let off the wheel, fighting it to stay straight. All that after a minor rear ender. Problem in the rack, or bent arm or frame.

[new2jeepguy]

ok today i jacked up the front end    when i turned the wheels by hand the steering was what i would call a little stiff.   when i reached  the point when the wheels would be straight the wheels got real stiff, very hard to turn back and forth ,  which would be why the steering doesnt want to return to center??.I checked the u jiont on the steering shaft  it seems ok.I disconnected  the tie rods, nothing stiff, nothing binding.It doesnt appear to be a ball joint/ tie rod end issue.I took off the steering box    i turned the input shaft with a pair of vise grips   its not real smooth   but doesnt feel real stiff like i expected.I,m gonna try a new steering box.One other thing sometimes when u over tighten the adjusting screw on a steering box  it gets stiff,  thats what it feels like   I probably should have tried that first   but???  i have a buyer for the jeep and just wanna fix it fast and properly.I,ll let u guys know how i make out  just in case anyone ever has the same problem  thanks for all the input

[vantagetes]

Try removing your steering stabilizer (the shock on the drag link) and see if it gets better. On my work truck I bend the rams/dent the barrel all the time (it's the lowest point on the truck and I spend 98% of my day off road) which causes exactly what you're describing. I can change one in about 3 minutes flat so it's an easy troubleshooting step before you start dropping cash.

[new2jeepguy]

i disconnected the steering stabilizer  no change ,  today i put on new steering box   guess what?  ,        no friggin change im runnin out of ideas ,when i jack it up and turn the wheels side to side by hand  it does seem smoother and easier    but when i drive it, the steering still doesnt ret urn to center. it stays turned. i have to keep my hands on the wheel all the time to turn the steering wheel straight after a turn etc   i may  have the alignment camber /caster  whatever re done  any more ideas anyone?

[Bnine]

Caster is the first thing to check. The function of the caster angle on a solid front axle is to provide the user with..........................return to center.

Should check there. Its free. Check for excessive toe as well. If center to center  on the tie rod castle nuts is less then 52" there is to much toe. A slightly bent tie rod from a collision is quite likely.

Stop throwing money and parts at it, and just hit the basic and free diagnostic stuff first.

[new2jeepguy]

i did the 52" measuring thing mine is 51 ish  i compared my steering linkage to another jeep  i think the tie rod is bent  the long rod that the steering damper attaches to,  anyone have one?  im  at 403 605 6223   thanks

[Bnine]

There you go. You could probably adjust it out for now.

Also you can probably straighten that tie rod. Then stitch a peice of angle iron along it to keep straight in the future.

[WhiteOut]

I should have one, I'll see if its still in ok condition.

[new2jeepguy]

ok i went to pyp , now known as pick n pull. i got all the steering linkage for bout 40 bucks. i put it on and i think its gonna fix it.  i still have to have an alignment done, the steering wheel is off center now.  if its fixed , then it was the linkage   being bent that i didnt notice till comparing it side by side another jeep.  i took it for a quick test its definitely better but not quite right   hoping the alignment   completes  the repair   

[new2jeepguy]

ok its not perfect but its way better than before.    it looks like it was partially the steering box, partially the steering linkage, a little bit the muddy p/s fluid, throw in alignment and   its pretty good now  thanks for everyones imput   im thinkin the more i drive it the more it may loosen up     we,ll see