I'll be taking my 96 Cherokee in to the mechanics soon to fix a loose steering problem the cause of which so far I haven't been able to identify, and I'm cool with that. But before I do I want to replace whatever bushings that are in the steering linkage that could potentially be contributing to the problem. And besides, I haven't cranked on the ole Jeep for a while so I just wanna get up under there and do something.

Goal is...I wanna replace only whatever bushings may be contributing to my steering problem. I've looked at some bushing kits online and I don't think I need a full 'Master' bushing kit. But my problem is I don't exactly know what bushing kit I should be looking for.

So, my question is...exactly what bushings should I be looking to replace, and is there a standard bushing kit that just covers steering problems.

OR...do I need to replace all bushings with a universal kit, as they all could potentially contribute to loose steering?

I'm all ears.

You are, what I call, "shotgunning" the problem. Without identifying what is wrong, you are just replacing parts hoping to fix whatever is wrong.

Steering is a fairly complicated beast.
There are complicated angles that need to be maintained over a wide range of travel...
There is also a lot of force in those components.
Your jeep ways something line 3500lbs., and yet you can turn the steering wheel with your palm in a parking lot. You have hydraulic power and mechanical leverage putting a huge chunk of force on the whole system.
Finding a loose ôbushingö requires two people. You need one person bouncing the wheel back and forth and another person checking all the little components.
Here is how I like to start...
Put the jeep in park and set the hand brake TIGHT.
Have one person start the engine and turn the steering back and forth about 1/4 of a turn. The other person starts by looking at the steering box. Watch the input shaft of the steering box. It should be matching EXACTLY, WITHOUT ANY play what the person in the car is doing. This should tell you if there as any problems with the linkages connecting the steering wheel to the steering box.
If the u-joints/rag joints arenÆt loose I go from the Input shaft of the steering box to the output shaft (Pitman arm) of the steering box. The output shaft should be going back and forth matching the input shaft. When it turns, the pitman arm should turn just a little as well. Every little movement should be duplicated by the pitman arm. If not, your steering box is loose. There should be no side to side movement on the steering box. The pitman arm should be as solid as a rock beside the small amount of turn it is getting from the input shaft. If the pitman arm moves side to side or up and down even a little, it needs to be rebuilt.
From the steering box start following all the rod ends out. I like starting with the rod end on the pitman arm and following it all the way to the steering knuckle. Then I trace the other sidesÆ rod end from the steering knuckle to where it connects to the drag link. Those rode ends should be SOLID. They can rotate a little, but if the knock back and forth they are bad.
From the drag links/rod ends I move to the upper and lower ball joints. To check them you no longer need the car running so shut it off. Jack up one side of the front axle so that only 1 front tire is off the ground a few inches. Shove a crow bar under the tire in the air and LIFT, HARD. The tire shouldnÆt budge. If it moves up and down, you have bad upper or lower ball joint. Keep jiggling the tire up and down and have your buddy check which joint has the play. Once your happy with it, put it down and check the other side.

I hope this helps you find the problem...

Good technique for the DIY...

I do it the easy way by letting my buddy with an alignment rack fix my steering issues.

CHEATER!!!!
You could do that... but where is the hours of frustration and drinking??

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I spend so much time in meetings with BLM and Forest Service, I find it easier to let someone else take the frustration of weird vehicle issues out of my life.

And, I can actually enjoy are drink or two!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I try to get a fat girl to sit in the Jeep and twist the wheel.. Thatawy I don't spend too much time looking at HER!
Then I raise the hood and begin looking.
It's surprising how many have play in the little u-joints before the steering box. Then the steering box itself is adjustable if some of the play is inside it.
But back to the fat girl... You'll need at least a case of beer for that job.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I've noticed both methods have a lot of beer involved... I'm thinkin that's the key. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />