Swaying/rocking/wobbleThat's what's happening to me as well, swaying (rocking-wobbling) side to side as I go over uneven surfaces. I also bottom out when going over bumps and is very easy to do so, for example when going over speed bumps on residential subdivisions.
So what brand/kind of shocks do I buy ?, my mechanic put Ranchos (yellow label) and it was better for about 6 months , now is just as bad as when I bought it. Also I notice spacers (expanding brackets by screws that make them bigger)-?, in between the turn of the coil springs in front; I remember in the old days they were used to "lift" the spring so it would be stiffer...What does all that tell me?
I am thinking I need shocks as well as springs, don't know about sway bar components , since haven't touch them to test.
What do you all think?
Thanks
U21

 

Is this your first Cherokee? I ask because I currently own my first, an 87 model. I have been driving Volvos and Toyota sedans for the last 25 years, and still have a Corolla for my daily driver.

When I first got my Cherokee and drive it as a daily driver, I thought it was rubbish! It rocked from side to side like a small boat on a stormy sea! I instantly bought high quality Monroe shocks. The ride did not improve.

One day I jokingly asked my neighbor if he wanted to buy it. He laughed and joked about how horribly they rode, and how they rock from side to side going down the road, and how the slightest bumps would produce a disproportional amount of rattles a squeaks from the interior trim pieces. He had owned several, that he had bought new.

Then I visually compared the chassis dimensions of the Cherokee to my 94 Corolla. They were nearly identical, but the seating position on the Cherokee is substantially higher and its body is substantially higher, plus it has antique leaf springs in the rear and solid axles front and back! So of course this thing is going ride like a horse drawn wagon, it is only a few steps better than the wagon. To be quite honest, I don't know how the hell they ever sold these things to anyone who ever test drove one.

That said, definitely check your suspension and steering to your satisfaction, but to use an old phrase, " they all do that".

But, I do love mine. I like the brute-ness and utilitarian-ness of its design and the simplistic engine. But it is definitely an "80's American built car".

 

Front sway bar still attached and the bushing in good shape?

 

Gas shocks make a world of difference.

 

Something must be going on with your Cherokee if it rocks side to side. Mine is pretty stable, and that's with a 2 inch lift and bigger tires. I have Bilstein 5100 shocks on mine, but still.

 

Well, if you keep pushing on it, it will continue to rock. Once you stop, it should settle down quickly. It's hard to tell since you're on the back side from the camera but it looks like yours takes a cycle or two to settle down.

On my '88, once I stop rocking it, it stops almost immediately. Mine has the stock suspension. I recall I have Monroe shocks on mine.

 

The fact that replacing the shox cured it in the short term tells you that's where the problem lies - & also which brand not to get again.

My 1st XJ followed a succession of big Jaguar sedans; true it wasn't as fast or quick & I couldn't push it round curves but it rode OK & wasn't especially loud (although 10 years on its successor is). My more modern Jeeps have been better road cars - but I know which I prefer.

 

Yeah attached and tried to move it around and couldn't, no play the bushings are tight !
My rear leaf springs are flat, ordered them as well as the front coil springs.

 

Yes my 1st Jeep...bought it in 2013 to have transportation for 4 months before moving out of this swamp, but ended up staying, lol. I had a mechanic install Ranchos but the sway came back after a few months. Used to take two trips of about 100 miles roundtrip per week and in construction zones the thing felt like a boat. Have had issues with this thing , radiator blew, 2 batteries and front calipers went out and the brakes couldn't released, drove it like that home, then more recently a rubber returning transmission fluid to the radiator broke at the clamp on the radiator (was able to fix that myself)...I guess most of these are "regular maintenance issues) I only use it now to go to the stores near by, maybe 10 mile RT, but since this rocking has gotten a little worse decided to use my daughters FD gift to get some parts..
In a positive note, I have only needed two front tires since I bought it....!
Oh and the most frustrating issue is that this Jeep won't start sometimes...then it will after some time, which varies a lot. Had another mechanic installed a by-pass switch that worked all the time till recently, my cousin helped me trace it to the by-pass blowing the 15 amp fuse, have a 20 now and it is holding! Need to get practiced in starting from the starter with a screwdriver....other than these....fine...He,he,he...!

 

Too many get-U-home hacks being used as semi-permanent fixes for my liking.

I'm a big fan of lateral thinking & workarounds can be invaluable, but you have a few reliability issues that need addressing.

Next time it won't start, if it doesn't crank, try swapping the fan & starter relays. If it cranks but won't fire, swap the fuelpump relay. These are simple, no tools needed jobs which if they don't do the trick will, at least, eliminate that possible cause of the problem.

 

Have you given any thought to a 12 step program?