1996 Jeep cherokee steering problem Still

I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee sport with the 4.0 liter automatic with 140,000 miles on it... It has been very well maintained since new.

one day over the summer it became hard to steer a few inches off of center in both directions... after the few inches it steers normal but will not return to center on its own while its rolling...it feels like the steering wheel binds (steering compoments).

Since the problem started I had the front U-joints replaced, 1 ball joints and everything else moved freely how it should... the power steering pump is full with no leaks...

A member of this forum recommended that I flush the power steering pump a few times with new fliud which I have and it seems to help somewhat... but after a few days the problem returns... the fluid i put in the pump is clear and when i take it out its black... since winter is coming I was wondering if just replacing the pump or the gear box would correct the problem or should I continue to flush the system... any help would be great.. thanks in advance

You might consider replacing or overhauling the power steering pump (they aren't that complicated). There is a valve in there that controls the assist.

I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee sport with the 4.0 liter automatic with 140,000 miles on it... It has been very well maintained since new.

one day over the summer it became hard to steer a few inches off of center in both directions... after the few inches it steers normal but will not return to center on its own while its rolling...it feels like the steering wheel binds (steering compoments).

Since the problem started I had the front U-joints replaced, 1 ball joints and everything else moved freely how it should... the power steering pump is full with no leaks...

A member of this forum recommended that I flush the power steering pump a few times with new fliud which I have and it seems to help somewhat... but after a few days the problem returns... the fluid i put in the pump is clear and when i take it out its black... since winter is coming I was wondering if just replacing the pump or the gear box would correct the problem or should I continue to flush the system... any help would be great.. thanks in advance


Your steering gear is worn, that's the reason for the wandering. The binding is because the worm and sector are so worn they are misaligned and grabbing each other. Get it replaced and get an alignment. Also get the P/S flushed again to get out all the crud. It's also possible you may have to do a pump because all the crap being pumped through it. You'll just have to wait and see sometime later.

Hello,

I have a 1990 XJ that had a problem with the steering gear. I replaced the sector and now the steering system seems to be clicking at one certain point. it seems to be coming from something on the drivers side.
Any ideas of what could be causing the click are appreciated.

You may get a better response if you create a new thread for this question.