cs641

I've got an '00 Cherokee with 220K+ miles on it and the steering is VERY sloppy and all over the place. Going down the road the Jeep wanders a bit and you have to fight with the steering a bit to keep it going down the road straight. When you make a turn the wheel does not return to center.

From past experience with previous XJ's it sounds like ball joints, tie rod ends, drag link and steering stabilizer. There is play on the tie rods if you wiggle them by hand.

It was at the mechanic for something else and he seems to think it's the front axle 4WD u-joints and ONLY the u-joints are causing my steering issues.

Does this make sense to anybody? The u-joints feel tight and don't go clickety clack down the road.

jedijeb

U joints might cause a vibration or shake, but I can't see how they could make the steering loose, because they are not involved in the steering directly. Steering stabilizer also should not cause loose steering, it could mask it but not cause it.

Everything else you mention plus the steering box itself is what I think could cause that problem.

Bustedback

Bad front axle ujoints will cause the steering to bind while turning, you can feel and watch it in the steering wheel, but in a straight line it won't cause a wander. I suspect ball joints and the worn out tie rod ends are what is causing you issue, but since you'll have the knuckles off for ball joints, you might as well do the ujoints.

PseudoSport

Does he mean the u-joint in the steering shaft going from the column to the steering box? If that was bad your steering would be very sloppy.

Bustedback

True

cs641

The way they told me was the u joints at the wheels.

I had a '90XJ a few years back that wandered in the exact same way that ended up being ball joints, tie rods and drag link.

cs641

No binding while turning. Only thing going on while turning is a failure to return to center.

Bustedback

Worn out ball joints will cause that.

freegdr

Get new mechanic step 1.

Bustedback

This.