Nester

Greetings,

I am new to this forum. I was encouraged to come here because I have a minor problem with my XJ that I haven’t been able to solve. I have owned a 2000 XJ Sport for 3 years. It is a very dependable, fun ride and I’m keeping it.

I have a wandering problem in the front suspension. It feels like the steering is loose and I have to keep making small, numerous, steering correction to keep it going straight. This wandering is not serious but is very annoying. The front end has been completely rebuilt from, including, the steering box all the way to the steering knuckle ball joints, thinking it would solve the problem. It didn’t. There is no lift kit. I’ve tried different tires and pressures. The current tires are 235/75R 15. Everything is stock except I install lockout hubs in front axle, which widened the front track by 3 inches. The wandering problem existed before the hub conversion was installed.

Is this typical for a Jeep Cherokee Sport 4wd with power steering?

Thank you for your input.

billyonemate

I have this exact same problem, but have not done any fixes yet, so would be curious to see how you get on.
I have been told that it's usually an issue with the Track Bar itself, or the track bar mountings being loose.

Have you had a new Track Bar? And have you had new Tie Rod Ends?

number9

I am a new XJ owner so don't know if this is "typical" but I'd not think so.

Have the upper and lower control arm bushings been replaced? Wondering of they are trash and allowing the wondering you are describing....

How many miles is on the truck?

Have you had a proper alignment? Wondering if your toe is set correctly...

Does it have new tires? I've ran new tires before that "squirmed" or "walked" around for the first few hundred or even a thousand miles.

...

number9

Yep, I forgot to ask about the track bar and track bar bushings, are they trash?

...

Nester

As stated "everything" - tie-rod w/ends, track bar, upper and lower control arms w/bushings. steering box, upper and lower ball joints. Brand new Mastercraft tires. Had Goodrich T/A's.

number9

So has it done this since you've owned it or just started doing it recently on you?

What if anything changed just before this started?

Have you replaced the steering stabilizer?

Have you had the alignment checked by a competent shop and SEEN the results printout sheet to KNOW that the alignment is in-spec?

How about the rear leaf spring and shackle bushings? Are they shot?

....

Nester

This problem has been with the XJ ever since I bought it.

The front end has been on the alignment rack. All numbers are in the green. I have the print outs. The rear end suspension has been completely rebuilt. Shackles, springs, swaybar links - front & rear.

billyonemate

do you have any loseness in your Track Bar Mount as show below?

Nester

I've seen this vid. I check the mount on my Jeep. The hole is nice and round, not elongated or oversized. The bolt is tight.

billyonemate

Hmmm, sounds the exact issue i have, I've bought new front/rear shocks and a steering damper for mine, which i am going to be fitting over the next week ... i'll let you know if that helps ... unless you have done that already too?

freegdr

Has any one ever followed behind you make making sure your tracking straight/crabbing .

Nester

When the rear suspension was rebuilt the alignment shop check the tracking of the rear wheels to the front wheels, and side to side. There is no crabbing. To answer your question of anyone drove behind to see crabbing - No.

freegdr

Don't care what shop said car wasn't moving have someone follow or better yet have someone drive yours and you follow .

97jeepxj40

Same problem here and I have replaced the same components as you. More or less anyway. I think my steering box is shot.

Did you get a reconditioned one? Do you have any play in it? I can move my steering wheel a good few inches before the pitman arm moves :-(

Nester

I bought a new factory replacement made by Delphi. I bought it from Morris 4x4 Center. PN# 52088386AC.