I've had my 01 Sport for 6 months and it has always had stiff steering. I recently had my mechanic back off the adjustment screw and all it did was give me play in my steering wheel. When the wheel actually catches it is still just as hard to turn no matter what the speed. So I had him tighten it back. I'm wondering if it's the steering box or if it could be the steering dampener (which has fluid spots all around it). It seems that the dampener would be easier to go in and out if the seals are bad. (no resistance). Is it possible that it's joints or other steering components? It has 174K miles on it.
I've heard talk about a police package. Are there any other ways to tell if my Jeep had this package? What are some of the other options?

 

Only reference I recall mentioned in the FSM regarding a police pkg was a fast idle switch/button on the dash.

 

I would look for some sort of emergency lights or sirens.

 

police package would have nothing to do with the stiff steering and a shot damper would not add resistance at all but tre's that are seized up could or a bad steering box could...unbolt your tre's and check their play...

 

Hey mcguyver, just read your sig.........you're going to do maintenance on the new XJ, THEN add the toys ? U r weird (just kidding).

 

If your power pump is good and steering is hard, 1st place to look is the steering box failing.
As for the police package, would coffee stains on the seats and donut crumbs on the carpet be a clue?

 

 

HA hahaha. That's funny! LOL.



Ok, well someone mentioned it in another post about hard steering. I didn't see why you would want hard steering in a po-po car.
I did think it was an interesting topic and wondered what all they did differently for a police setup in a Cherokee.

Yes I was thinking it would be good to change the tie rod ends and see if it makes a difference.

Does anyone have any pictures or drawings of the inside of a steering box? I'm just trying to visualize what would be wrong to make it work but be stiff. From what I've read, doing the Durango steering box swap seems like a good thing to do.

 

Police package... I'm not sure there was a certain universal package... However from all the stuff I have heard.... there can be many added things...

• 10" drums instead of 9" drums,
• upgraded alternator,
• extended idle switch,
• Trac-loc rear (limited slip)
• heavier suspension components
• heavy duty cooling systems for engine and trans

Other additions I've heard...that might not be factory...

• rear plastic bench
• provisions for K-9
• cages
• extra wiring and circuits for lights, sirens, computers, radios, etc.
• Antenna or holes where they used to be....

 

I have a police package and it came with rubber flooring colunm shift a spotlight a push bumper and some old intenna mounts on the roof.

 

You can tell if it has a police package by the part number of the computer. Police pkg Jeeps have a different computer. I came across this problem when I looked into replacing mine

 

There was no universal police package. Just a list of options for the buyer to choose from. Mine came with extended idle, 10"drums, skids, tow package, and wires everywhere. Had it for almost six months and I'm still pulling wires out, along with part of a electronic gun lock system and a solid state flashing unit.

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Seems like 2 different sizes of brakes, bigger alternators, heavier suspension components, etc., etc. would be discussed in the FSM, if they existed. The extended idle/fast idle switch is all that I see referenced.

Ooops, my bad, 9" and 10" drums but no reference to "police pkg". Wonder if 10" drums were included in the "tow pkg"?

 

I know in my impala I had a serv. Button that cut all the lights.

 

Oh I also have the rubber flooring, no carpet, and the trac-lock

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