Hey all!

I just recently purchased an 00' cherokee sport. I've noticed when driving this thing pulls left and right very strangely at lower speeds. When I get going faster (interstate) it's not nearly as bad and tracks pretty straight, but around 10-35 mph its the worst. Especially when the road is a little rough, or a few bumps. When I correct the steering one way, it will start to veer that way a bit, then i'll correct it again, and vice versa. It's very annoying, and about caused me to go over a curb the other day.

The previous owner said it has not been lifted, even though it rides a bit stiff, and looks a tad lifted, and they just put brand new shocks and springs on it. It's got 31x10.5x15's on the stock wheels, and the guy said it needed aligned. I've driven cars that needed aligned, and they didn't act anything like this. The steering wheel is also WAY off. It's practically sideways when going straight.

Any ideas? Thanks!!

 

you already know what is wrong...? It needs an alignment and the wheel straightened out. Look into the steering components if the problem persists AFTER you fix the first two issues that clearly would affect the vehicles ability to drive straight.

 

Well, the tires only have about 30-40% left, and i'm getting new m/t's with cragar soft 8's next week, so I figured i'd wait until I put those on to get it aligned.

I just wasn't convinced a bad alignment would cause it to veer like this!

The biggest thing, i'm used to driving compact cars with track suspension and tires, so hopping up in the air like this on big tires is really strange to me. I'm sure its MUCH different, but I didn't realize how much.

 

I would assume the steering wheel being off and the alignment needed, in combination with a taller vehicle than you are used to would be quite different than anything compact

Is the wear on the tires even?

 

Yeah, for sure. I'm used to carving interstate ramps at 60+ mph.. haha

The fronts have about 30%, rears maybe 40.

 

Your steering wheel is off because of your steer ahead angle. The memory steer you describe can be caused by your caster angles being to far negative. That being said, does your wheel straighten out after turning or does it stay turned until you turn it back?

 

When it's toed in too far, it can be darty. Like everyone else says, get it aligned. Your new tires will thank you.

 

Hi there , I just bought 2000 xj sport and I have same problem , the car is hard to steer , pulls left and needs strong grip on steering wheel when applying breaks after high speed , the previous owner said that the track bar and its bushes should be replaced and the problem is solved , for now it's not really safe to drive , any additional ideas plz?????