So, really weird, and super non-urgent situation here. This really isn't a terrible issue, isn't super noticeable - but it still has me wondering. I fixed all of the other clicks and clanks that the car has been emitting over the course of the last few months - but this one was sort of hiding itself within the other clanks that I had been hearing. I really do think its the last issue I have left. Simply as can be, the steering wheel makes a jiggling *tiny, its tiny movement* up/down rock and sound when going over certain road conditions. Unlevel, rough, whatever it may be. The jiggle/clank seems to be coming from deep within the steering wheel, sort of where it is actually protruding out of the dash rather than the steering wheel ITSELF, jiggling. If any of y'all were in this situation, and you couldnt see the car, would you think rack & pinion or tie rod as the culprit? Or some mechanism inside the steering wheel as well? thanks!!!

 

Could the the steering column linkage or could be anything in the front end suspension. Have any of the links and bushes been inspected or replaced?

 

Sorry to revive this post from the dead, but I am still working on this issue. I have replaced most of the bushing and ball joints in the front suspension since this post - nothing seems broken or tore up, yet the problem is still here. I have a set of coilovers that I am going to install next weekend that would fix any strut/shock issue. I read someones advice that it could be a subframe bolt that is loose.

 

Grip the steering wheel and try to wiggle it, up/down, left/right. As jahummer suggested, it could be the steering column. If you can get movement, check the bolts under the dash holding the column.

 

There is no up/down/left/right wiggle movement in the steering wheel - but there is 2-4° of loose play when steering from left to right. For example when I am not moving (or when I am moving.... I just never mess with this while moving, but it does happen while in motion) and the tires are stationary - the steering wheel does this. (⬇️attachedvideo)
Now, the wiggle that I am experiencing is like... maybe 20% of what you are seeing with the jeep, it is definitely not that dramatic. Just some loose free play before it actually catches the steering box... or the u-joint on the steering shaft... just seems like something with the column. I feel like this is a separate issue from the clunking - but the more I think about it, the more my head wants to piece them both together lol.

 

Most likely one the inner tie rods is worn. While you are there, refresh the power steering fluid.

 

I think I have replaced every ball and joint + tie rod suspension part in the front so far - I never even thought about the power steering fluid when I did all of my other flushes - so thanks to your comment, grabbed the fluid pump and did it.

 

The rack and pinion has a worm screw and an adjustable pin riding the grooves. Possibly it has to be screwed inwards more and relocked.

 

Installed my SF Racing coilovers that I have had laying around for a year+ now - seems to have taken away the clunk from the front right that I was experiencing... just gonna assume there was an issue with the passenger strut. Steering wheel still has a tiny bit of loose play (pretty small) but a majority of what I was experiencing was fixed with the coilovers. I have replaced a lot of the suspension over the 2 years - and I have yet to get an alignment. Granted, the tires were put on recently so if there was any tread wear, it'd be minimal on my current set. Figured it wouldnt make much sense to get an alignment at any point with how many parts of the suspension I had to replace.

 

Drop links also renewed?

 

OK, no one has mentioned a particular, known cause of the CLUNK: the engine compartment braces that join at the firewall end. A loose bolt here can cause the clunk, the noise easily transmitted into the cabin.