I just purchased an 87 Cherokee Pioneer 4wd, and the power steering works great. In fact it feels like the jeep floats like a boat a little, like the cars in the sixties. Is this normal or can this feel be adjusted on these 4wd cherokee's ?

 

just have the mechs inspect all your joints next time you get a set of tires and have it aligned...

 

The jeep has brand new tires and just had a wheel alignment. Jeep tracks straight when you let go of the steering wheel and even when you hit the brakes.
Any other suggestions?

 

sounds like its fine to me... how much does the steering wheel turn before the wheels and tires actually turn? i mean is there a ton of play there?

 

I've got an 87 also.
I just got it running (somewhat) the steering is very easy, much like a Ford of the late 60's.
Its not wandering or anything, besides a random vibration from bad shocks.

The only cure I know is a trick that was used years ago.
Add a crossover line with a shutoff valve in it that you can crack open to bleed excess pressure to the return line.

One other option I "heard" of once is add a block to the line and expirament with different sized orifices drilled in it. I have reservations about this adding unneeded load on the p/s pump.

 

the steering wheel has maybe 1/4" of play before the wheels start to move.
I wonder if the steering stablizer would have any effect on this feel in the steering?

 

do you know if this easy feel to the steering is normal in jeep cherokee's or can if be adjusted somehow, without modifying the factory steering pump?

 

The steering is easier on the 87 than it is on the 95.
IF all your parts are tight, tie rod ends, idler arm etc, and you still have the slack, there is a stud/nut on the steering box that is designed to take the wear slack out of the setting sector.
Loosen the nut, tighten the stud till it feels tight, then back it off a 1/4 to 1/2 turn depending on your preference and retighten the locking nut.