97tjMike wrote:
> I have a 1997 TJ Sport with power steering. I posted this question a
> while ago but never really got an answer. The problem is that the
> steering wheel does not *completely* return to center after a turn. It
> attempts to, but never completely bounces back. Also, when driving
> straight down the road, the steering wheel does not "bounce back" to
> center if it is turned or flicked a little bit. It's kind've like
> something is binding. I asked a mechanic and he suggested checking the
> U-Joints, which I did and they are both OK. I suggested an alignment
> due to a bad castor angler but he said the castor cannot go off
> enought to do what it's doing. The dealer I called also said an
> alignment wouldn't fix the problem, and it was probably a worn out
> part. Here's what I know:
>
> Recent new Steering Box (problem happened before and after
> replacement)
> Good Front U-Joints (not binding up anyways)
> New sway bars (don't think that's related but I'll put it up here
> anyways)
> Recent lube of all zerk fittings when I did my oil change a few months
> ago.
>
> I haven't had it aligned since I bought it, however I have put a 2
> inch spacer coil lift on it and when I did that I did a self-
> adjustment of the toe-in and the steering wheel centering.
>

Have the caster checked. That is many times the cause of the symptom you
are describing. It is possible you were on the low limit of caster
before, and the lift would just make it worse. Having it checked is much
cheaper than replacing parts and hoping you find the problem.

Chris