As Pete mentioned the first thing that comes to mind after worn steering components is worn suspension components. Bushings could be worn and sloppy, which if you are installing new springs should be replaced anyway.

I think you are on the right track with having someone turn the wheel while you are under the jeep looking at ever connection, I did this on my 79 F150 and found track bar bushing in the front was worn out, but looked fine when the truck was just sitting there.

For the suspension, you can also try turning the wheel and looking at your leaf spring bushing, you shouldn't see any movement between the bushing and the frame of the bushing and the spring. The other thing I would try is having someone rock the jeep back and forth to find any worn bushings. And as Pete said look at both the front and the rear. While you are at it too, look at your springs for cracks, some one prior to you may have tried seeing how far the jeep could flyà

I assume when you were looking at your steering you were also looking at your steering shaft and if you have a rag joint, you inspected that? On my Ford the rag joint is worn to hell and it does make the truck wonder, just because there is play between my input to the steering box (the steering wheel), and what the box is sending to the wheels or the wheels are feeding back to the box.

Hope this helps, and I know how you feel having a vehicle that others donÆt like to drive, and in one respect its nice, I hardly ever get people who want to drive my truck. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Sean

Thanx all. I found at least some of the problem at lunch. i'm going to wrench on it when i get home and i'll tell you how much difference it makes. i can't believe i've overlooked the same thing for 6 mo. i've probably watched it function 50 different occasions. i just needed to get an extra pair of eyes on it.

Thanks for not telling us Kevin...Nobody realy wanted to know... turkey!
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Sorry brothers. even though i tightened the bolts that hold the steering box bracket to the frame, the box is still twisting a little. i can't tell if the bracket is flexing (maybe damaged?) or the bolts going through the bracket into the box housing are loose or stripped a little. i'll update tomorrow on this thread and tell ya'll how my drive to work was. thanx again. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

not fixed but little update:
there are three different bolts holding the box to the bracket. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> i think one is not threaded all the way b/c it's tight but i can wiggle the washer. i'm also worried someone forced the wrong thread bolt in there b/c it doesn't want to come out either. the box is moving on the bracket AND the bracket is flexing. this has to be most of the problem. the bracket looks fine but i guess i will get a new one and maybe one of those stabilizers. how have these worked for ya'll?