1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ Sport, 4.0L 374,000 miles

It took the whole weekend but I got it replaced.
All those videos showing people knocking that bushing out without a ball joint/bearing tool and additional doodads, or a press are BS. And no parts stores around me can press out a bushing.
Had to remove the bar from vehicle, the method that worked was pickle fork and 4 lb. hammer. A 2.5 lb. hammer doesn't do much.
There was still much grease that squeezed out from the boot.
Removing the old bushing: Cut out the center with a 1 3/8" bimetal hole saw. That removes the bushing center out to the outermost metal sleeve.
Beat the flanged end of outer sleeve with a cold chisel, came in with a hacksaw and cut a groove, then went back in with chisel and peeled the last of the bushing out.
Installed Duralast replacement urethane (3 pieces including metal bushing), had to bevel the small end of one piece to get it to go in. Pressed it all in with 4" vice. Metal sleeve slid in. Used NAPA Sil-Glyde for that.
Installing: The cotter pin hole accepts 1/8" diameter pin, the next size up in the HF kit wouldn't go in for me.
Dabs of nickel anti-seize on ball joint threads and shank for the M10 axle side screw. Blue locktite on axel side screw threads.
Flag nut is M10 1.5 pitch threads. Was galled after removing, chased it with a tap. Also spritzed some rustoleum on it, can't hurt. Note: The flat side of the flag nut faces front of vehicle.

Death wobble gone. Other shaking and crap is in there, need to check balance on relatively new-to-me tires.

This procedure didn't center wheel, it is as bad or worse than before, at least 10 degrees left. Not sure about dealing with an alignment shop, since in the past around here they can't align anything unless it is straight from the factory.
Bleepin Jeep has a video on straightening steering wheel.

 

Just centre the wheel by turning the adjusting tube one the steering tie-rod arm, takes a few minutes

Once thats done, you can measure the alignment at home fairly easy, the alignment shop usually only does toe with an XJ, which is close to zero anyway

 

That's something like the Bleepin Jeep video said

 

Measured distances between front tires, front and back of tire. Came out equal instead of 1/16" shorter in front. But wasn't real scientific about it, will do that again.
The right pull feels more severe than the wheel being merely out of adjustment.
Bringing the IR thermometer and checking brake disk temps tomorrow. Hopefully right caliper isn't sticking or something.
Having front wheels balance checked and swapping them after work tomorrow.

 

Temperature measurements of rotors is a dead end. Both are around 210F, with the driver side slightly higher, after morning commute.

By pulling right I don't mean the wheel is cocked a little left and it still tracks straight. I mean it pulls right and if I let go of the wheel it wants to turn even more right.

Checking the balance on front tires today, and swapping them.

 

You should correct the steering wheel alignment, as its literally a 5 minute job, and it just makes things so much easier to judge

It only affects the steering wheel position, not tyre alignment

Any subsequent alignment means the steering wheel will have to be reset

If the vehicle is truly pulling to one side, their must be some issue that needs attending, doubt its the brakes sticking, as the wheel gets hot to touch, you smell burning smell, and eventually smoke starts coming out

where did you get your 2 part urethane bush ?

 

Thought I stated earlier that I am tracking down the source of the problem before messing with steering wheel.

Bushing is Duralast from AutoZone.

 

Thanks for the Parts source

I absolutely promise you setting the steering wheel straight first will make tracking down the problem easier.

It takes 5mins, but helps if you have someone watching which way the steering wheel moves when you rotate the adjusting collar

If you have to do it on your own, it might take 10mins

with the steering set dead ahead, the front and rear wheels should all be almost parallel, if not, the tie rods probably need adjusting

If they are all straight, but it still pulls, then the problem is elsewhere

 

Replacing tires with broken cords fixed over 90% of the issues. Doesn't pull, vibrations gone.

No more driving in experimental test pilot mode, for a while.

Now I can straighten up the steering wheel.

 

For those who don't know, bleepin jeep sells alignment tools...universal, saw them the other day, thinking of buying one myself


https://bleepinjeep.com/product/blee...lignment-tool/

 

And the "square wheel" feel in tight turns is gone too.

If it's comfortable enough this weekend, the steering wheel gets straightened.