I have a problem with the self-centering on my '01 2wd Cherokee. I know there are a lot of threads about this, but I've read everything I can find on the forums about the problem: if anyone can offer advice I'd be very grateful.

I bought the Cherokee a month or two ago: when I bought it, it had just had a new steering box and front tires fitted. The Jeep had been stood unused for about a year. Over the past couple weeks though, the lack of self-center bugged me. It almost centered, but got to nearly straight-ahead and wouldn't come back all the way. It was also pretty heavy. I greased all the joints and checked the steering damper (all OK). No luck. I took it to my trusted local mechanic who checked the whole front end and said the new box was bad. So he fitted another one and did an alignment.

Now the steering is super-light but very loose, almost scary-loose. Self-center is better, but STILL not absolutely right. They're happy to look at it again: and I've always been happy with their work. When I picked it up they said 'it now steers like a Jeep': but I've owned and driven a bunch of Cherokees and this is NOT how I think it should be.

So apologies for the long post, but can anyone offer advice? The damper, balljoints, tie rod ends, steering box, pump, tires and alignment have all been checked. I'm out of ideas. If I lift the front wheels I can move them left and right easily by hand. Likewise when the Jeep is lifted off the ground, the steering turns freely, engine off and on.

Any advice appreciated!!

 

Adding more caster might help it self-center better.

 

Thanks, I've been wondering about that: I don't know much about how steering geometry works so I've been reading up about it. I'll ask the mechanic that when I take it back.

 

What are you putting in it for steering boxes?
This isn't unusual for some "rebuilds". Sometimes you get a good one but often they're either too sloppy, or (in an attempt to fix the slop) the sector adjustment is so tight the box doesn't want to return to center.

 

What is your castor set at?

 

What was toe set to? 1-3* toe-in, approximately 1/8". Toe also affects return to center.

 

If your alignment tech can't provide you a readout of before-and-after adjustment specs, go to one who can.

If he can't, he's got old, inaccurate equipment.

 

Thanks, good advice: I took it back to the mechanic's shop today and asked about the alignment report: said he did it manually so no report......Well, I've left it with them and they've been good to me in the past so let's see. I'll keep y'all updated.

 

Caster is the most likely suspect, but, having been down this road before it turned out to be ball joints. Use the bar under the tire method, watch carefully with a good flashlight for play.

 

Just a quick update: in the end it was another bad steering box. The mechanic shop fitted another free of charge and now it steers well. Second time around, he ordered 2 more from his supplier: one of THOSE was bad as well. Luckily he tried both on the bench: one had a tight spot at the center.