What did you do to your Cherokee today?
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Location: Snohomish County, WA
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Thanks for the reply ... but
Um, no ... not jumped, PO'ed ..as in Previous Owner eithe replaced the steering box, tried to or steering column ..?
either way, the steering SHAFT and internal mechanicals, wiring, etc. is turned about 300* off of straight.
the steering knuckles, tie rods, linkage is straight (now that I fixed it right) with 1/8" toe-in (for now - trying to track straight).
I have about equal turns left and right maximum turning.
BUT, Wheel is 3/4 upside-down, AND I cannot get the blinkers to stay on while driving straight because the steering shaft is turned (not just the wheel)
So ... what I need to do is turn the shaft & wheel (together) and re-attach to the steering gear box (or somehow change the relationship between the steering shaft alignment and the steering gear box alignment)
How can I disconnect the steering shaft from the gear box (preferably without unbolting the gear box from the frame-rail) ???
Please , Anyone?
Um, no ... not jumped, PO'ed ..as in Previous Owner eithe replaced the steering box, tried to or steering column ..?
either way, the steering SHAFT and internal mechanicals, wiring, etc. is turned about 300* off of straight.
the steering knuckles, tie rods, linkage is straight (now that I fixed it right) with 1/8" toe-in (for now - trying to track straight).
I have about equal turns left and right maximum turning.
BUT, Wheel is 3/4 upside-down, AND I cannot get the blinkers to stay on while driving straight because the steering shaft is turned (not just the wheel)
So ... what I need to do is turn the shaft & wheel (together) and re-attach to the steering gear box (or somehow change the relationship between the steering shaft alignment and the steering gear box alignment)
How can I disconnect the steering shaft from the gear box (preferably without unbolting the gear box from the frame-rail) ???
Please , Anyone?
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Year: 1999
Engine: 4.0
Thanks for the reply ... but Um, no ... not jumped, PO'ed ..as in Previous Owner eithe replaced the steering box, tried to or steering column ..? either way, the steering SHAFT and internal mechanicals, wiring, etc. is turned about 300* off of straight. the steering knuckles, tie rods, linkage is straight (now that I fixed it right) with 1/8" toe-in (for now - trying to track straight). I have about equal turns left and right maximum turning. BUT, Wheel is 3/4 upside-down, AND I cannot get the blinkers to stay on while driving straight because the steering shaft is turned (not just the wheel) So ... what I need to do is turn the shaft & wheel (together) and re-attach to the steering gear box (or somehow change the relationship between the steering shaft alignment and the steering gear box alignment) How can I disconnect the steering shaft from the gear box (preferably without unbolting the gear box from the frame-rail) ??? Please , Anyone?
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Unfortunately no, I was hoping it would still be warm once I received it (el nino and all that...lol) but it's barely above 30 for the next couple weeks and will probably only get colder. It was -40Fas high temp for almost a week last February. Maybe I could buy or rent a few propane heaters...maybe the powder coating quote will be do-able.
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
steering shafted
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thanks for the reply ... but Um, no ... not jumped, PO'ed ..as in Previous Owner eithe replaced the steering box, tried to or steering column ..? either way, the steering SHAFT and internal mechanicals, wiring, etc. is turned about 300* off of straight. the steering knuckles, tie rods, linkage is straight (now that I fixed it right) with 1/8" toe-in (for now - trying to track straight). I have about equal turns left and right maximum turning. BUT, Wheel is 3/4 upside-down, AND I cannot get the blinkers to stay on while driving straight because the steering shaft is turned (not just the wheel) So ... what I need to do is turn the shaft & wheel (together) and re-attach to the steering gear box (or somehow change the relationship between the steering shaft alignment and the steering gear box alignment) How can I disconnect the steering shaft from the gear box (preferably without unbolting the gear box from the frame-rail) ??? Please , Anyone?
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
toe in has nothing to do with the drag link adjustment. You get the tie rod adjusted so the tires are where you want them, then you get the tires straight and turn the drag link adjustment till the steering wheel is straight. Thats what I do at least and every YouTube video I've ever seen on diy alignment.
Yeah, I know.
...and yes I've re-aligned this thing like 5 times - but it would always end up pulling to the right, that is until I did just the right to left centering _---adjusting the Drag link properly - so that straight ahead is in the center of the steering wheel travel.
now I have equal turns left and right ...AND the thing drives straight when I let go!
However now the steering shaft is not straight ... I guess I can live with it --- At least it steers straight AND turns equally left and right.
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Yeah, I know. ...and yes I've re-aligned this thing like 5 times - but it would always end up pulling to the right, that is until I did just the right to left centering _---adjusting the Drag link properly - so that straight ahead is in the center of the steering wheel travel. now I have equal turns left and right ...AND the thing drives straight when I let go! However now the steering shaft is not straight ... I guess I can live with it --- At least it steers straight AND turns equally left and right.
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yeah, I know.
...and yes I've re-aligned this thing like 5 times - but it would always end up pulling to the right, that is until I did just the right to left centering _---adjusting the Drag link properly - so that straight ahead is in the center of the steering wheel travel.
now I have equal turns left and right ...AND the thing drives straight when I let go!
However now the steering shaft is not straight ... I guess I can live with it --- At least it steers straight AND turns equally left and right.
...and yes I've re-aligned this thing like 5 times - but it would always end up pulling to the right, that is until I did just the right to left centering _---adjusting the Drag link properly - so that straight ahead is in the center of the steering wheel travel.
now I have equal turns left and right ...AND the thing drives straight when I let go!
However now the steering shaft is not straight ... I guess I can live with it --- At least it steers straight AND turns equally left and right.
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Year: 1994.5
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0 HO
re:What did you do to your cherokee today?
today, as the odometer rolled-past 363,736 miles , I FINALLY installed that one last part that just nags and nags at yer mind... that has pestered me (and I'd put-off time and time again for no particular reason ) for over 3 years now - particularly since just recently at 363,500 miles, I had replaced the original stock radiator ,put-in new hoses, flushed at the engine block & redid all of the coolant system - but just never bought this thing because somehow it even still seems so overpriced) ; yeah, you brothers of the XJ world know that lil' b*stard I talk about; the freakin' fan-shroud.
After as much heat soaking and continuous oil-baths ,mud drenching and doin its job for over 365k, is it a surprise it basically crumbled off 3 yrs back as i was replacing motor mounts ?
anyway, my temps never got outta control but it's important to have proper air flow in direction it is designed to flow to properly cool the engine. I suppose the lil' XJ deserves it.....
so glad the whole cooling system refurbish has been completed. the shroud was the final piece...
I did notice one thing; the cool little serpentine belt routing pattern sticker that is on the OEM shroud ( which, this is the Mopar replacement) is not on the new that arrived ..I will have to transplant her...
After as much heat soaking and continuous oil-baths ,mud drenching and doin its job for over 365k, is it a surprise it basically crumbled off 3 yrs back as i was replacing motor mounts ?
anyway, my temps never got outta control but it's important to have proper air flow in direction it is designed to flow to properly cool the engine. I suppose the lil' XJ deserves it.....
so glad the whole cooling system refurbish has been completed. the shroud was the final piece...
I did notice one thing; the cool little serpentine belt routing pattern sticker that is on the OEM shroud ( which, this is the Mopar replacement) is not on the new that arrived ..I will have to transplant her...
Last edited by J3ff3ry_J33pst3r; 01-08-2016 at 10:08 PM.
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Brand-new (3-4 months ago) Stock track-bar.
I believe the Previous Owner replaced something. e.g. steering gear box, steering column ..? then neglected to put it on straight, so instead just did the toe-in, then turned the drag-link adjustment until the wheel Looked straight.
That's my guess, anyway ... :-/
PS, Thanks for all the replies
Last edited by RacerX; 01-09-2016 at 02:14 AM. Reason: thx
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
OK I did a little quick reading on the 1998 FSM, I know you are not driving a 98, but it shouldn't be much different. The steering column to steering gear has a keyed connection, as in a master spline, so they can only go together one way.
It does appear that the pitman arm and steering wheel are not keyed and could be put on crooked. With the wheels pointed forward check t see if the pitman arm is straight. If it is the steering wheel is the problem.
I will look into it more when I get home, but for now I need to head off to work. Adjusting the drag link should only change the way the steering wheel points and nothing else.
It does appear that the pitman arm and steering wheel are not keyed and could be put on crooked. With the wheels pointed forward check t see if the pitman arm is straight. If it is the steering wheel is the problem.
I will look into it more when I get home, but for now I need to head off to work. Adjusting the drag link should only change the way the steering wheel points and nothing else.
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Year: 1995,1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Removed my headliner. Couldn't stand the fabric hanging down against my stocking cap. Now the chore of cleaning it up and gluing new material on it. Hope it goes in as easy as it fell out.