The XJ's intermediate steering shaft has a slip joint that wears, causing on-center play and a contributing factor to death wobble. Borgeson or Flaming River replacement shafts fix it.
The XJ uses a two-piece intermediate steering shaft between the steering column and the steering box. The shaft has a slip joint (rag joint) to allow for engine movement. Over time, the splines wear and the universal joints get sloppy, producing on-center play in the steering wheel. This is a frequent contributor to death wobble on high-mileage XJs.
Diagnosis: with the engine off and wheels straight, grasp the steering wheel and rock left-right. You should feel almost no play before the front wheels move. Have a helper watch the front tires; if you can move the wheel an inch before the tires twitch, the shaft is worn.
Temporary fix: tighten the pinch bolts at both ends of the shaft. Apply anti-seize to the slip joint. This may help briefly but won't last on a truly worn shaft.
Permanent fix: replace the shaft with a Borgeson or Flaming River upgraded shaft. These use needle-bearing U-joints (instead of stamped) and a heavy-duty slip joint. Borgeson 000965 is the popular XJ shaft, $250-300. Flaming River sells similar.
Install: pinch bolt at each end, remove old shaft, install new shaft. 30 minutes if everything cooperates. The Borgeson shaft is universally praised on NAXJA — eliminates one more DW variable.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Borgeson steering shaft XJ | Borgeson | ~$270 |
| Flaming River XJ steering shaft | Flaming River | ~$290 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.