‘01 RWD Ranger 3.0 auto. Will a bad PS pump or ply separation cause a speed wobble? It’s not just a steering wheel shimmy, it’s a wobble - I’ve had 4 Cherokees and I know.
New ball joints, tie rod ends, tires, alignment, hubs, sway bar bushings, pads and bearings. Basically a factory fresh front end. It comes and goes but has been getting worse. Running out of ideas. Thanks!

 

I don't want to assume, so I'll ask. Was this wobble a issue before the replacement parts or after? It will effect or helping and responses.

 

When I got the truck it had been sitting for 6 years. Replaced ball joints and tie rod ends before I ever drove it because they were sketchy. Tires were dry rotted and flat spotted, so there was vibration but absolutely no wobble. New tires ran smooth for about 6 months. Steering wheel movement has been sporadically notchy from the get-go. Figured that from was aeration in the pump (fluid level fine, no leakage), so now I'm wondering. I've had several Rangers and NEVER experienced speed wobbles with them. Bad Jeep flashbacks! Putting it on the rack today to check all attachments, rust etc.

 

Hey man got an update for this? Been having a wobble kind of like what you are describing for months now and it’s so annoying. Basically same story as you with the new front end and bearings. I haven’t replaced sway bar though.

Again wouldn’t mind an update. Thanks.

 

This one takes the cake. I jacked up a front wheel so I could spin it to look for ply separation. Straight as an arrow. Even though I had all 4 ball joints replaced about 9 months ago, I decided to check by putting a long pry bar under the wheel and levering it up. What do you know, it clicked and moved up about 1/4"! Same thing on the other side. So I watched the lower ball joint while someone did the pry bar thing and I could see it sliding up and down in the control arm. The circlips were properly seated, so there should not have been any room for vertical movement at all. My best guess is that different trim and drivetrain levels have ball joints with taller or shorter cylindrical sections that you press into the control arm. I'm guessing my replacements were the long version, and after a few thousand miles the press fit got beat out from lateral flexing and they're free to move up & down a bit. Classic formula for speed wobble as any Jeep owner knows. So the lower control arms have to be replaced. The truck is on the lift now and we'll know if my theory is correct in a few days. I'll update you again

 

Okay that makes perfect since. I was in an accident a while back and before that the Ranger was having way worse of the wobble after I had replace the joints. After repairs and everything after the wreck it was a bit better. But I still have that issue because they only replace the control arm that got destroyed. And on the side that wasn’t worked on I still have the aftermarket joint in the factory control arm. So if what u are saying is true then maybe replacing the other control arm on my truck will fix it.

PS it isn’t awful but just really annoying after I hit a pothole or something.

 

Got Moog replacement lower control kit with ball joints already installed. Put in new shocks so long as it was apart. Easy install. Front end feels factory fresh. Pix below show how it should look like on the left and range of movement on the right. It was so loose I could move it in the control arm with one finger. Same on both sides. The only thing between me and the ditch or worse was a pair of 0.040" clips.Terrifying.
Lesson learned: Make sure the new ball joint bottoms out when you press it in and then check the circlip groove. The bottom of the circlip must be flush with the control arm surface.

 

Thanks Man! Much appreciated! I’ll look into it next time I’m doing suspension work.