Steering Box

Wondering if anyone has had any issues with steering lately. I have a 1998 Jimny JB23W. I was making a right turn and the wheels stopped turning for a bit. It now works. But was pretty scary getting stuck mid turn onto oncomong traffic. The steering is smooth, like if it had power steering not tight. Any help is appreciated. 

It's possible that you have a failing cv joint as they have been known to jam the steering.

Thank you. Know of any ways to diagnose? Also going to add a nut (see photo) as I just noticed I was missing a nut here, so will be finding one at a hardware store. Don't know if that is the only issue as the steering loss was momentary and will do more testing.

Bad CV joints normally knock or click when cornering slowly at full lock.  Have a look and see if the rubber boot is torn on either of them, as a common reason for wear is that the boot fails and dirt gets in.

But a jimny cv is inside the swivel and only rotates when in 4x4. If it is bad though it could still jam and free off with the steering. When was the car last used in 4x4?

The picture does show a leak of fluid so I would give it a good clean and then inspect to see where the leak is. As for the universal joint that will show excess play if you touch it while someone gently rocks the steering wheel but that's going to be having to hang in bits to jam the steering.

As Lambert said, there isn't a boot to split as the CV joint is inside the swivel housing. The exposed thread does not have a nut. The female thread is inside the U/joint that is on the end of the steering column. A momentary locking of the steering is probably either the CV joint or one of the king pin bearings that is badly corroded due to water ingress. This may not show up on a rocking test but if you remove one or both steering ball joints and manually turn the wheels, a roughness or reluctance to turn is reason enough that the kingpins are past it.

Roger

^^^^^ As above, I would also assume CV joint in one of the front swivels. I noticed on a kingpin rebuild that if you don't have the CV in exactly the correct position it will jam the swivel as you try to turn it. The circlip keeps it held in the correct position, bit if the CV is failing and things are moving outside of "normal" a jam as the swivel turns is possible.
With the steering ball joints removed and the wheel off you can move each swivel by hand, should be a nice smooth movement. Sticky or uneven force is possibly kingpin bearings or CV. Which ever it's time to take it apart and check, not a big job.

Thank you, just took a look at the ball joints for excessive grease, they don't look bad at all. I'm not seeing many signs of wear. Does it look like i need to remove the wheels for a deeper look?

You have shown pictures of the steering swivel. If you go to "shop" at the top of this page and then enter steering ball joint you will see a picture of the ball joints. I do not wish to be rude, but working on the steering/suspension components of a car and any other part for that matter requires knowledge and the appropriate tools. You are well advised to seek help, so I would advise you to tell us where you live and then, maybe, there is a forum member who knows someone.

Roger

From past experience I had no sign of oil on my swivel...... But when I stripped it down the lower kingpin bearing just fell apart 
I'm with other people get a ball joint splitter 
Then turn side to side you will be able to feel if it's not happy 
Also when did you change kingpin bearings last?  if you go through water/mud regularly you'll be doing well to get 2 years lifespan