I recently bought a 1990 Jeep Cherokee with 198k miles on it (yea, I know, high miles). It has a 4.0 in it with a 5 speed tranny. The problem is the darn thing wanders something fierce! It feels a lot like a low rear tire with a heavy load on. It has 10.5"x31" tires on alum. rims. If the road leans to the right it goes to the right, if the road leans to the left it goes to the left. It also follows any crack in the road too. I did look under the front and saw nothing out of the ordinary when somebody rocked the steering wheel back and forth. I even looked at the rear springs for any movement and saw no evidence of any movement. I have not had the chance to jack it up and really check for anything loose, although the track bar does not move. Anybody have any ideas? The tires do not show any abnormal wear either.
Tom

 

Time for some MOOG front end parts.

 

Yea, but what parts? first look all was fairly tight???

 

Does it have a factory steering stabilizer? the 31x10.5 may just have too much leverage on the system compared to the stock size tire, and a wore out or non existant steering stabilizer may magnify that problem. I think I remember cherokees being of unibody construction as well, so what might be a small amount of rust on a body on frame vehicle could be structurally (sp?) compromising on a unibody vehicle.
greg

 

Ive had 3 cherokees, 85,92,95 now. I will agree they are odd handling, and after just purchasing a 95 ram 2500 4x4 which has the same front end just on a larger scale. It seems they have a lot of the same similiarities. Very touchy on a crowned road. it seems to pitch from side to side on bumps more than soak them up. The 31s with wide rims if you have them arent helping either. Check the track bar, alignment, and steering box for looseness.

 

Update: I jacked up the front end and tried to wiggle everything I could with a pry bar. There is no movement in the ball joints, tie rods, and the track bar. I pulled the steering stabilizer just because I could. It was kind of hard to extend by hand but it went in fairly easily. I bought one at NAPA and installed it tonight. It also now has LT235/75r15 (6 ply) tires on it. It almost drives like a Cherokee should. I don't know what the exact problem was, but I don't mind driving it now. Thanks for the help guys.
Tom

 

you found the problem, my 88 had a wander-shimmy problem untill i installed a new stabilizer shock. the wide tires increases the problem when it shows its ugly face. i found with mine it needed a new stab shock every 50-60 k miles.

 

I have an 86 and have not found my problem. I have to brace my elbow against the door. The steering is like way too powerful and sensitive. No shimmy, let go of the wheel it tracks real good. Take your eyes off the road for a second and you are headed for a ditch. A pain to drive. You can spin the wheel with your little finger. Also tire wear is good.

 

Haulin' that pretty much describes mine. There seems to be a problem with the right side now. If the road dips on the right it will shoot to the right. If there is a bump on the right, it shoots to the left. If there is any crack in the road the right side will follow the crack too. The left side seems to not have any of these problems. The steering is a lot touchier than the '99 Cherokee that I used to have. I just wish I could figure out what the problem is.
Tom

 

If you find the cure PM me, I will do the same. It mystifies me, the handling is great, it tracks well, nothing loose, tires wear great. It's like it has twice the power steering it needs. Just so sensitive that you can not maintain your arms steady enough.

 

Thats pretty much how I would describe mine as well, specially after gettin out of the truck. I have a hard time goin straight. One good sneeze and your a dead man if your not watchin out, but again a 3 of mine were kinda that way.