scary steering.

[fish]

i have a problem with my steering on my cherokee xj.
it has become quite erratic and not much fun on the highway. ive gome over
all the bushings for wear but they seem ok with no play in them. ive had a look atthe steering box but again it looks like its working fine. there is some play in the steering and a slight pull to the left,
to drive it feels like you have to continuously correct the direction your heading in, and ive noticed more body roll lately.
the only times it feels right is with a full load or towing a trailer.
any ideas boys? im stumped...
cheers

[Heath]

Ball joints, steering joints (name escapes me for now), tyre pressures (wifes car wanders around when the tyre pressures drop), steering box flogged out/loose on its mounts, Rear end bushes buggered maybe, panhard bushes, alignment out (front and rear), bushes could be stuffed but okay when stationary

My prado steering was okay just squeaking a little took it in and the front was fine. I insisted they check the front bushes and replace them - another long story - and when they were removed they fell apart, just had a new WoF too.

Just guesses from my part, but start with the simple and cheap stuff (tyre pressures) and work back over the less obvious and expensive stuff too

[yeti]

check the track bar fish.......

[fish]

ok a good list to start with,
sterring box is mounted fine still but ill have it looked at,
im off to the servo to check my presures now.
has anyone els had this isue?

[yeti]

big nut on steering box, get under the heep and see if ya can tighten it...

[fish]

I believe its pronounced jeep. Thank you very much.

[yeti]

I believe its pronounced jeep. Thank you very much.

..bit precess there fish.....
get a mate to turn steering wheel why you are under JEEP...see if anything moves that shouldn't....be something simple usually is with the xj

[fish]

ha yea its actually aore of a heep right now.
i put a few pounds in the front tires and its a huge improvement! what psi do you roll on? mine were 36.?

[yeti]

bout 35 ....am on 33s.......found anything else....

[Heath]

I run 38-39psi in my 265/75/16 kl71 on my shorty prado. I know its not a jeep but weight wise it might be close

Different tyres seem to need different pressures on same vehicle for some reason - must be tyre design etc.

[fish]

not really, there is play in the steering box , the shaft turns a little before the arm moves but not much, its much better now with higher tire pressures tho.
my friend has 45 psi on his vx this seems quite high?