Thanks everyone for your informative responses. Yes, it was the NSS and the new one needed to be adjusted. As far as the starter is concerned, the old one was really dying because the turnover rate slowed down within days till it died. The new one turns a lot faster and more robust. I'll wait till it gets cooler to replace the steering column to test it easier. It doesn't slip in warmer weather,but there is an inch of play even when the engine is off but not the slippage as when the engine is on. As an aside, like many vehicles here in Vegas the last 2 brutal weeks of heat, my AC compressor burnt out and locked up the serpentine belt. Had to tow to the shop (again). My mech converted it to the new 134 refrigerant from the old R12. Good to know that the 1994 used the 93 compressor, so had return for the right comp. I guess the 95 - 98 used the 94.

 

Ug! Sorry for you on all those bills, $$$! Well...now maybe you found the week points and are clear to role for a bit.

Much thanks for getting back! Allot of posters seem to just walk when the get enough....(funny that one is on the "smile list").

 

Did you ever identify the cause of your steering wheel slipping when it's cold? If so, how were you able to fix it? I'm having exactly the same problem and yours is the only post I have seen on this issue.

 

Check this out TX> https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/dan...-today-132060/

 

Thanks for the link DFlintstone. there is a lot of great info there, but I didn't see anything on my specific issue. I don't have a problem with the steering wheel turning beyond the stop. What I'm experiencing is, and only when it's cold and only until the Jeep warms up, is that the steering wheel will 'slip' 1-2 inches off center when turning the wheel. So if I turn the wheel to the left, the steering wheel will 'slip' or 'pop' 1-2 inches to the left before it actually begins to turn the wheels. So when the wheels comes back to straight on the road, the steering wheel is now 1-2 inches off center. When I turn the wheel to the right, it will 'slip' 1-2 inches to the right putting the steering wheel back on center when the wheels are straight again. When the Jeep warms up it stops doing this, so depending on which way I turned last before it warmed up, the steering wheel might be back at center or 1-2 inches off center and will stay that way until it gets cold again. If you know of any causes or fixes for this very odd and specific problem I would greatly appreciate the advice.

 

Well...others know more than I do. "slop" can be anywhere. I'd have someone turn the wheel this way and that while I was under there looking for something moving, connected to something that isn't. In a lot of other rigs the tie rod ends go. You get toe-in , "out", with feathered tire wear and maybe wobbles.

I lube what I can, but I can say Jeeps are outstanding there. Wheel bearings and the steering linkage seem to be supper solid.

Again there are others here I might ask myself. Warm/cold aside, I might think of play in the steering box its-self, I've got plenty at nearly 300K, but needed to be told that by other drivers. (I don't notice it).

The wheels battering on whatever they are on bash the first joint first. If I have someone turning the wheel and can see play in the connection to the control arm on the steering knuckle, or any play anywhere, (even a little), it's shot.
"What I'm experiencing is, and only when it's cold and only until the Jeep warms up, is that the steering wheel will 'slip' 1-2 inches off center when turning the wheel." Idk TX. I might do 1/8- 1/4 turn to "wake it up!" On mine. Little play in the box I'd guess.

Alignment shops might offer free inspections. Maybe a thought. Of course you will be informed you need a new steering turbulator, but you might learn something!

 

When everything is lined up right, take a piece of chalk or a scribe and matchmark every individual piece of the steering so you can identify the "normal" position. Then once it's slipped back off center, line the front wheels up straight and look for the part that's not where it should be. I'm betting you'll find it's the isolator in the steering shaft.

 

Thanks Radi, that is a great idea. I'll give that a try this weekend. Now i just have to make sure I can identify all the moving parts.

 

Using Radi's advice, it only took 2 minutes to find the cause of my steering problem. It is in the intermediate steering shaft. I think I'll try a junkyard replacement before shelling out the bucks for a new one.

 

you know. I am reading your posts on here and not likin the sound of your mechanic. I would suspect your nutral safety switch for your starter issue first off before doing the starter... try a different mechanic, this guy sounds like he is takin your cash and laughin at ya.

 

have you checked to make sure your mech tightened everything up. as strange as it sounds metal shrinks when cold. expands when hot. maybe your pitman arm is not tight and moving on the steering box shaft or its stripped.... warms up a bit and has a tighter fit... also not sure but what steering fluid do these jeeps take, maybe wrong fluid. I would not drive it till I found the issue. loose steering is bad. trust me I know. lost steering when a part fell off once on me.. pulled the steering wheel up out of the column and had no steering while driving. all I could think of was to ask my buddy if he wanted to drive. his eyes bugged out and we went off the road and into the bushes. LOL be safe. dont do this.

 

I waited for cooler weather to have steering problem diagnosed by another mech so it would act up, without even saying what Radi and the rest of you helpful fellas think. Yes, he nailed the problem. I ordered the steering shaft from Quadratec at $143 including shipping and $100 to install. The new mech slapped it on and the slippage is gone. Although, he put the steering wheel back on sort of tilted to the right which should be an easy adjustment. It's now tight and responsive. Also went to Sears to have all 4 shocks replaced (5000 series Ranchos $230 including wheel alignment). Drives like a dream again. I want to express my endless thanks to all that responded to my posts. You guys are great.

 

Steering wheel has a locating tab on the hub. It can't be changed inside.

The wheel is centered during alignment by adjusting the tie rod ends.

 

actually the steering wheel is centered during alignment by adjusting the drag link; adjusting the tie rod adjusts the toe in/out of both front wheels simultaneously, irrespective of steering wheel position.
I.E., you set the toe, then you center the steering wheel.

on vehicles with rack & pinion steering, then the steering wheel is centered by adjusting toe; at both individual tie rods.
I.E., you center the steering wheel, then you set the toe.

 

Happy to report the new steering shaft (from Quadratec) is performing as it should. Yes, you guys are right about steering wheel adjustment, it's at the rods. Thank you for your tip(s).

Though everything's running smooth, there's still a couple of nagging concerns.

Rear brake shoes about 8 months old, sticks, esp on abrupt stops (unavoidable even if I'm the gentlest driver). The mech said it's cuz they're new and will go away in a few. It hasn't. I'm not going back to that mech. Another mech says new booster since I really have to step on the brakes on my jeep compared to my other car.

My speedometer dances up and down like it's getting intermittent electricity. Was told by another mech it could be cable. It also messes with cruise control, will run good when speedometer is behaving normal and other times would accelerate/decelerate but not necessarily in time with speedometer and eventually would get stuck in accelerate. At times when stopped at a light it would do the dance and other times the other gauges would join in.

And last, the little hose connector just underneath the radiator cap that connects to the reservoir, broke off, but still able to stay in place cuz of the way the hose receptacle broke off from the inside of the filler neck just below the cap. It drips some antifreeze from it. Do I have to replace the whole radiator? And is there a way to get rid of the antifreeze's rusty color? I've flushed it every 3 months. I'm sure rust can't be good. I'm using 50/50. We have to pay special attention to our radiators here in the desert. Thanks again for all the good info, everybody