On my 96 Cherokee I run Serious Offroad's UTK 1 ton steering set up. Today I took the passenger side tie rod end out to do some axle work and I noticed the ball in the rod end can wiggle freely and I can pivot it all around. Is that normal or should it be more firm in place? Could this attribute to looseness in the steering wheel??

 

They do move, but it should have a bit of resistance, go to your local Carquest/Napa/Advance parts store and replace it with a premium part.

 

Unless you have the ability to ream the TRE you purchase from a parts house, don't buy it. the TRE must be reamed inorder to accept the draglink TRE.

I have replacements on my site.
http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...cement-TRE-UTK