'87 Floating steering?

[mmcpeck]

Hey guys, I have an '87 Cherokee, and I've noticed that when it gets up to about 25mph and above, the steering feels kind of like it's floating, I guess is how I would describe it, like it is loose. It's not death wobble, just a loose feeling in the steering wheel.

It's not even that there is really any play in the steering either, just a feeling like there is. When it feels like it's floating, you can move the wheel one way or the other slightly and still get movement in the front wheels, so it's not like anything is loose, just feels that way. All the grease fittings I can see look pretty messy, like they are all popped, but when I yank on them, there is no play at the fittings back and forth.

I'm not all that familiar with SLA steering components, are there any diagrams listing all of the components and where they go, like pittman arm, idler arm, etc...? At least then I'll know what I'm looking at and what I need to order if I do need to.

Also, I want to change the fluid on my diff's, but this thing is 21 years old, and some of the bolts look kind of rusted. Has anybody ever broken a diff cover bolt or are they to beefy? Was thinking it might be a safer bet to suck it out through the fill plug, even though that's half azzed, but breaking a diff cover bolt can't be fun.

Thanks.

[thundergod1320]

With the vehicle running, wheels blocked, in park with brake set, have someone turn the steering wheel slightly in both directions while you watch each individual component. That should give you an idea of whats moving that shouldnt be. Unless the ball joints are really worn, you may have to jack up each wheel and seperately check those for play.
If a diff cover bolt gives you trouble, take an old socket of the correct size and place it on the bolt head. Give it a good shot with a hammer... this will break the rust bond under the head and it should come out. If you do manage to break one, they're pretty easy to get to, so just drill it out, clean up the thread with a tap and replace it!