Cannot solve DW
Fawns are infinitely less offensive than raped apes 
What happens after 30mph? Does it go away? Or is it so bad you can't go any faster? Those bushing looked pretty cruddy too. I totally thought you'd found it. Such a pain..
I'm fighting an ugly CEL and gas mileage issue right now. Getting around 10-12 mpg. its running rich and i've widdled it down to intake and exhaust manifold gaskets. Which I'm really not thrilled to be pulling with the limited tools i have available right now.
But at least I can be happy mine rides smooth. Hope you get some luck dude.

What happens after 30mph? Does it go away? Or is it so bad you can't go any faster? Those bushing looked pretty cruddy too. I totally thought you'd found it. Such a pain..
I'm fighting an ugly CEL and gas mileage issue right now. Getting around 10-12 mpg. its running rich and i've widdled it down to intake and exhaust manifold gaskets. Which I'm really not thrilled to be pulling with the limited tools i have available right now.
But at least I can be happy mine rides smooth. Hope you get some luck dude.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: mississippi
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7
Fawns are infinitely less offensive than raped apes 
What happens after 30mph? Does it go away? Or is it so bad you can't go any faster? Those bushing looked pretty cruddy too. I totally thought you'd found it. Such a pain..
I'm fighting an ugly CEL and gas mileage issue right now. Getting around 10-12 mpg. its running rich and i've widdled it down to intake and exhaust manifold gaskets. Which I'm really not thrilled to be pulling with the limited tools i have available right now.
But at least I can be happy mine rides smooth. Hope you get some luck dude.

What happens after 30mph? Does it go away? Or is it so bad you can't go any faster? Those bushing looked pretty cruddy too. I totally thought you'd found it. Such a pain..
I'm fighting an ugly CEL and gas mileage issue right now. Getting around 10-12 mpg. its running rich and i've widdled it down to intake and exhaust manifold gaskets. Which I'm really not thrilled to be pulling with the limited tools i have available right now.
But at least I can be happy mine rides smooth. Hope you get some luck dude.
Last edited by gotspeed74; Aug 9, 2015 at 08:19 PM.
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Do we cover the steering box mounting bolts? Sometimes they break or loosen up. Did you try supporting it in the air and spinning the front tires under power? You may have to do this on jacks, but be careful it doesn't shake itself off the stands. I'd put the front on cement blocks and 4X4s. This is to place the weight of the vehicle on the suspension at the actual driving height.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: mississippi
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7
Do we cover the steering box mounting bolts? Sometimes they break or loosen up. Did you try supporting it in the air and spinning the front tires under power? You may have to do this on jacks, but be careful it doesn't shake itself off the stands. I'd put the front on cement blocks and 4X4s. This is to place the weight of the vehicle on the suspension at the actual driving height.
Last edited by gotspeed74; Aug 9, 2015 at 08:47 PM.
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I'm in no way an expert, but I don't think you need adjustable uppers unless you're going to extreme lift heights where you'd need a long arm kit.
BTW, lock it into 2nd gear so it doesn't shift up and spin too fast to control it. You're going to need another person on the gas and brake while you watch it. I STILL think it has something to do with rotational weight, like tires and wheels.
BTW, lock it into 2nd gear so it doesn't shift up and spin too fast to control it. You're going to need another person on the gas and brake while you watch it. I STILL think it has something to do with rotational weight, like tires and wheels.
Last edited by dave1123; Aug 9, 2015 at 09:20 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: mississippi
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7
I'm in no way an expert, but I don't think you need adjustable uppers unless you're going to extreme lift heights where you'd need a long arm kit.
BTW, lock it into 2nd gear so it doesn't shift up and spin too fast to control it. You're going to need another person on the gas and brake while you watch it. I STILL think it has something to do with rotational weight, like tires and wheels.
BTW, lock it into 2nd gear so it doesn't shift up and spin too fast to control it. You're going to need another person on the gas and brake while you watch it. I STILL think it has something to do with rotational weight, like tires and wheels.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: mississippi
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7
Seasoned Member


Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 473
Likes: 8
From: Oregon
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 I6
Man this is a tough one. It seems like you have narrowed it down to a caster problem though. I would go with adjustable lowers but I cant recommend any brands since I've never used them on a grand. Do you think you could post a picture from the side, front, and inside the front wheel well?
Last edited by StuckBuck; Aug 10, 2015 at 02:37 PM.
Man this is a tough one. It seems like you have narrowed it down to a caster problem though. I would go with adjustable lowers but I cant recommend any brands since I've never used them on a grand. Do you think you could post a picture from the side, front, and inside the front wheel well?
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
As long as we've been brainstorming this, I just wanted to throw this into the mix. A year ago, I replaced the hub bearings on my WJ. This winter, the steering started squeaking when turning in the extreme cold. I greased up every thing I could, but the lower ball joints I couldn't. The jeep seemed to wander a bit, but I thought they all do a little. I just put 4 ball joints and all 4 tierod ends in it and got it aligned. This truck is solid like it's never been before and doesn't wander a bit. We checked the steering box bolts and they were tight, but the pitman arm had a little movement in it, about 1/8" side-to-side when I moved it by hand. My mechanic said not to worry, that's just the power servo and once you fire it up, that disappears. I was skeptical, but sure enough, that looseness disappeared when I started the engine. Driving down the road, if you move the steering wheel more than 1/2", the vehicle reacts. It's almost like rack&pinion steering now. I'm amazed.
BTW, my caster is set at 6.75* without cam bolts or replacing the control arm bushings. It has no lift on it . Those bushings have 176K miles on them.
This is why I can't for the life of me figure out your problem.
BTW, my caster is set at 6.75* without cam bolts or replacing the control arm bushings. It has no lift on it . Those bushings have 176K miles on them.
This is why I can't for the life of me figure out your problem.
Last edited by dave1123; Aug 11, 2015 at 11:29 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: mississippi
Year: 1999
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7
As long as we've been brainstorming this, I just wanted to throw this into the mix. A year ago, I replaced the hub bearings on my WJ. This winter, the steering started squeaking when turning in the extreme cold. I greased up every thing I could, but the lower ball joints I couldn't. The jeep seemed to wander a bit, but I thought they all do a little. I just put 4 ball joints and all 4 tierod ends in it and got it aligned. This truck is solid like it's never been before and doesn't wander a bit. We checked the steering box bolts and they were tight, but the pitman arm had a little movement in it, about 1/8" side-to-side when I moved it by hand. My mechanic said not to worry, that's just the power servo and once you fire it up, that disappears. I was skeptical, but sure enough, that looseness disappeared when I started the engine. Driving down the road, if you move the steering wheel more than 1/2", the vehicle reacts. It's almost like rack&pinion steering now. I'm amazed.
BTW, my caster is set at 6.75* without cam bolts or replacing the control arm bushings. It has no lift on it . Those bushings have 176K miles on them.
This is why I can't for the life of me figure out your problem.
BTW, my caster is set at 6.75* without cam bolts or replacing the control arm bushings. It has no lift on it . Those bushings have 176K miles on them.
This is why I can't for the life of me figure out your problem.
I cant thank you enough for all your suggestions. all i can do right now is look at it and scratch my head. I cant think of anything else to do. if i had 6+ inches on it i would be more prone to throw more parts at it. but at only 3 inches, i just dont know. im really starting to miss myXJ


