I noticed going down the road that steering wheel would go to the pass side and then back and keeps doing it. so I jacked it up and had my son wobble tire then I could see balljoint grease fitting moving back and forth that isn't right is it?

 

No.

You are probably on the verge of the wheel folding under the car when the ball joint lets go.
Then you will be buying a lot of parts you weren't planning on buying. Plus, when it happens, you won't be "limping home." Its all systems stop, right there, right now, when it happens.

Complete control arms, with new bushings, and with the ball joints already installed are inexpensive.

90-degree negotiation of a driveways is the notorious place where it happens.

 

what I thought. was hoping it was just bearings or tie rod. but it doesn't move when tire rocked up and down ,just side to side.

 

Sounds like the control arm is damaged (the hole the BJ is pressed into is wallowed out), and the BJ is wandering around in there.

As cheeeeeep as control arms are for these cars, just go to (DO NOT "call", the operative concept is GO TO) yer local buzzard nest and see what they're sittin on there. Probably have sets of em they can hand you when you walk up to the counter. Probably not more than $40/pr.

 

well my cousin looked at my car and sez the steering shaft is really bad and not to drive it. im just lucky my local jy has bout 10 of these cars. that being said will steering box and shaft work in my v8 if I get it out of a v6?

 

V6 or V8. All are the same.

The shaft isn't the first failure point though. Make sure it's not just the rag joint (where it connects to the box) that has failed. It is more easily replaced, and a used shaft will probably need a new one anyway.

Look into the jeep steering shaft. If you have a yard near you. This will replace the shaft and rag joint.

 

thanks guys.

 

which is it, the tie rods, or ball joints that cause a popping noise when making a 90 degree right or left turn?