My cherokee has developed a weird habit of wandering allover the road. Its standard as no lift and has had a wheel alignment and new ball joints since it started but no difference. It feels like i have to constantly correct it and it has a mind of its own. Particularly at higher speeds. Any ideas.

 

Gonna guess track bar or a bad tire.

 

Track bar huh? It can't be a tire because it had a rotation a few weeks ago and no change. Ill look into it. Oh yea what is the track bars purpose?

 

The track bar centers the axle. Likely culprits are the lower bushing and he torque on the upper rod end. Also while you're in here inspect for cracks on the frame side of the mount. Also if the toe is off it will cause this.

 

PS Gear box may need to be adjusted.

 

Any info/links on how to adjust the box?

 

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f12/s...riteup-498155/

 

B very careful with adj the box, I dove in and adju one bout 15 years ago, made it to tight, and it was horrable.

Agreed with the tires cause they were rotated (dumb question, but is air pressure good)

As far as checking track bar and for cracks in frame by steering box, have some one sit in the jeep and rock the wheel back and forth, make sure no joints have play in them underneath, and that your steering box is stationary on frame.

 

I checked the steering box and it seems pretty stable with no movement ill get someone to help me check all the other joints but it all looks solid as a rock at first glance.

 

double check the steering box with someone turning the steering wheel back and forth. i had the same problem and found the SB shifting and the track bar bracket shifting. turned out to be loose bolts. felt solid when trying to move by hand tho.

 

id crawl underneath and have someone up top turn the wheel from lock to lock and look around for some play

also id go back to the alignment shop and ask them for my money back as they didnt fix the problem they probly didnt do ****.

also check the air pressure in tires.

 

"also id go back to the alignment shop and ask them for my money back as they didnt fix the problem they probly didnt do ****."

X2!!

 

Well theydidfix the pull to the left. (i have a right hand drive xj as Im in new Zealand) but now that its centered its a bit more noticeable. Ill have another look in the morning.

 

The trac bar/ trac bar bushings are a good place to start. The trac bar keeps your axle centered under your vehicle. You had it aligned, but what about a balance and rotation? Forgive me if you already posted this info, my iPod won't show the previous posts but an alignment is only part of the equation.
-alignment
-balance/rotate
-ball joints: upper and lower
-wheel joints
-trac bar/bushings
I know you've got part of this list checked off, but that's all the likely stuff I can think of. Good luck!

 

And if all else fails, well, err... to fail, replace the steering stabilizer. This killed my wondering on the road and the steering wheel. just worth a mention.