I'm honestly not sure how to explain / describe this so I'll try my best. We took our 01 Cherokee on a road trip this weekend to the coast. It was about 100 miles each way through the mountains. It's all paved roads and we probably averaged about 60 mph the entire way.

One thing I noticed however is that there is a lot of bumps and uneven surfaces in the roads. They clearly weren't paved perfectly and the patch work was iffy at best. Our Jeep has a 4.5" short arm lift, 31" Cooper STT tires, and it runs like a champ. I noticed that when driven git at high speeds (55 and over) on the highway through the mountains that the steering is almost too sensitive through the corners and over the bumps. What I mean by this (bare with me here) is that it's almost like I have too much feedback from the steering and I really have to hold the wheel with both hands because if not I'll hit a bump and the steering will just jump.

I'm not sure whether to say that the steering is too sensitive or maybe it's just that the steering is too loose? I'm not sure if perhaps this is something that might have to do with the Jeep being lifted 4.5" or having bigger tires? I know it didn't feel like this when the Jeep was the stock height on stock wheels / tires.

Any ideas what this might be or do you think it's all in my head?

 

That's called bump steer. Your modifications have caused this.

Big tires and big lift = more leverage on all your steering components.

 

To fix bump steer the track bar and drag link must be parallel.

 

Bump steer... Got it! I kept thinking about this after I wrote the post and I think the more proper way to describe it is that the steering just sort of 'wanders' but only at higher speeds and when hitting bumps at higher speeds.

Perhaps this is a stupid question, but how do I make my track bar and drag link are parallel?

I suspect that after making sure my track bar and drag link are okay I ought to see if I can find a place to align it and make sure my castor and everything are in spec?

I bought the Jeep with the lift already on it so I don't have much knowledge of what the previous owner did or didn't do. All I know is that it's a 4.5" Rubicon Express short arm lift.

 

A picture of your steering setup would help, just to see what or if anything has been done

 

Here's some pictures I just took...

 

One more...

 

Maybe your steering stabilizer is shot. Take it off and see if it's still doing its job.

 

Good idea. No idea how many miles are on this lift or the steering stabilizer.

 

I'm pretty sure they are busted on both my Jeeps I've had but never got around to fixing them. I just ordered the OME stabilizer for my Comanche.

 

Do XJs come stock with steering stabilizers or is this an aftermarket part that was added on by the previous owner.

I've been looking and they are cheap enough that even if it is bad it won't be expensive to fix.

 

They come with them from the factory. But it's the only thing I could think to cause that if it's doing it most of the time.

 

Track bar and drag link actually look pretty decent. Both stock though. Steering stabilizer may help, but it's more of a band aid. You may want to look into getting an adjustable track bar because your axle may not be centered under the jeep. Other than that, try an alignment. I noticed you have adjustable lower control arms so that could help get your castor in check

 

My plan was to get an adjustable track bar and a new stabilizer as well. I need to have it aligned and hopefully they can check the castor as well.

I actually torn because I am considering just upgrading to a long arm Rough Country suspension but I am not sure if long arms will be of any benefit to me as oppose to the short arm kit I already have.

 

Long arms are 1000x better, but your suspension has to be set up properly. Between shocks, bump stops, limiting straps, brake lines, etc, etc. they add up quick. I'm actually in the middle of a long arm build right now. I think you have the right idea