Steering wheel pulls back when turning, feels like a flat

Tiny
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I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee, 4.0L 4 wheel drive that has 96,000 miles. When driving straight it is fine, but when you turn in either direction while moving the steering wheel pulls back and it feels like your driving with a flat. The power steering fluid is full. The problem started suddenly.
Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 AT 10:33 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
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Have someone outside the vehicle watch while you drive slowly and hit the brakes. What you are looking for is the whole wheel to stop and the body of the car to still move forward on the front. There may be a bushing gone bad. Post back afterwards. This may be a serious saftey issue.
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Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 AT 10:37 AM
Tiny
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I tried pulling the car forward and stopping it. I got a good stop on the wheel and the car continued forward. I also noticed that after I shut the car off there was a draining noise coming from the engine, but there is nothing leaking onto the ground
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Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
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You can't see this from the drivers seat, I don't know if we are on the same page on this. If we are, then I am suspicous the the lower control arm bushing.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_jeep_1_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_jeep_2_1.jpg

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Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 AT 4:35 PM
Tiny
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Hi Paul,
I took a video of the car while I was driving it. When I stopped the tire haulted and the body continued forward which is what I think you were referring to. Though I was only going about 5 mph. I tried to attach a picture of the front passenger side tire. Maybe that can help you direct me to the correct place. Thank you so much for all your help.
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Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
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Hi Paul,

I don't think that the picture went through. But I took the digram you sent me under the car and took a look at the lower control arm bushing. It extends up to the top of the wheel well. I can't see anything physically wrong with it or the bushing attaching it. I don't know if there is anything I can do to identify or eliminate it as the culprit.
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Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
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The tough part is you may have no indication there is movement until you force it to move. I don't think we are talking the same part as the lower control arm is on the bottom. We usually use a 3' pry ba to get it to move, (which it shouldn't).

As far as the body moving, It should pivot but not continue forward, if that make sense. Often a clunk is heard during this.
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Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 AT 9:36 PM
Tiny
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I feel like a total moron. As it turns out the kids had been playing in the car and put it into 4wd. Once it was back in 2wd it was fine.
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Friday, August 3rd, 2007 AT 8:34 AM
Tiny
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Thanks for updating, happens to the best of us!
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Friday, August 3rd, 2007 AT 4:11 PM

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