Just picked up a 1998 Cherokee and it had a crooked steering wheel. At first I thought I'll just adjust the drag link and it will be a simple fix. Well after tinkering with it for a bit - I have adjusted it all the way in both directions attempting to solve this issue. When all the way to the left the wheel is still crooked and when I go all the way to the right the wheel is straight but I only get a half of a turn when making a left turn. So now I'm thinking I have something that is bent/damaged? The vehicle was in a minor collision prior to me purchasing it. This information was disclosed by the P/O. The Jeep drives straight down the road and nothing seems out of alignment. I took a few pictures of underneath and I wanted to see what you guys thought. As it sits now the steering wheel is 90* crooked.

Working on getting pictures uploaded now.

 

 

If it drives straight enough for your liking and comfort, I'd say center the drag link adjuster, then pull the wheel off and center it. You'll need a wheel puller for that, but it's easy as pie to do.

 

I'll look into that. Would the auto turn signal off feature work properly if I just took wheel off rotated it and put it back on??

 

No that won't work because there is at least a locating tab/slot in there. The steering wheel only goes on the shaft one way. In addition, be very careful when screwing around with a steering wheel that has an airbag. You could be seriously injured or killed if it goes off.

You're going to need to go to a front end shop to see what is exactly out of spec. This is a potentially dangerous situation that needs to be taken care of. The very next time you drive it needs to be to the shop.

This is a case where paying a professional is money well spent.

 

This is what I have been leaning towards. I'll take it to have an alignment done tomorrow and I'll report back. Hopefully it's something simple like a bent track bar etc.

 

It almost looks like the drag link at the pitman arm and one end of the tie rod is worn/ tweaked. I would just take to an alignment shop and ask them to check it out.

 

Okay so just picked it back up and here is the verdict.

I will list it off just like they wrote it down.
-Track bar has play
-Pitman arm bent
-Tie rod at pitman arm may be bent
-Gear box splines may be twisted

LOL they quoted me at $1,200 for repairs. That would include new pitman arm, tie rod ends, steering box, track bar and finally a wheel alignment. Well I'm going to fix this myself but I need to know what I should start with.

 

 

Start with taking a taxi to the bank. Then to parts store. Then the tools store. Maybe by the store that sells beer by the case.

 

This says we will replace everything and hope we get lucky for 1,200 .

 

I agree and guessing is expensive.

 

Does the steering have any play? Rag joint could be gone. Tre's may need replacing. Get a friend to jiggle the wheel while you look for any parts that have play in them.

 

Steering play feels normal, nothing out of the ordinary. I'm wondering if I have a bent drag link, track bar or tre... Can't see it with naked eye though.

 

Take a pic of yours front steering system as a whole from the front at a crouch level then hit up a junk yard and look at the other xj's in there and see if you notice any differences of yours to other xj's. best way to truly spot a difference and know. Then what ever is truly bent just grab that part off and swap