1989 Jeep Cherokee Laredo

The Tires are in great shape but it starts making a noise around 80 km/he. I'll have to get the Alignment checked out.

k_902 did pass the time by typing:

Wander can be caused by low tire pressure, bad tires, incorrect toe-in, shot steering stabilizer, or worn steering balljoints. Lift the front end up and with your hands at 3 and 9 on the tire, rock it back and forth, there should be no play. You can also have someone turn the steering back and forth while you look at the links. Again, there should be no clicks/pops/or play in the joints. (it's ok if you can rotate the links back and forth, just not move them side to side)

The road can also make a difference. roads with a nice crown will tend to make the jeep go right, where roads that are flat or rutted, well, you know.

Slight possibility that it could also be the wheel bearings. Unlikely but possible esp. since you hear a noise when driving. Of course I have seen wheel lug nuts/bolts left loose that caused wandering problems and noise too!

later, dave AKA vwdoc1

On those Jeeps if the wheel bearing is going bad, the brake pedal will usually drop really low for the first pedal hit, then come up to normal on the second.

Mike

You are describing worn parts, likely tie rod ends. If you go under and have someone turn the wheel side to side you can usually see play in a bad tie rod end.

Tires that are not inflated evenly can cause wander as well.

Bad shocks cause tire cupping and vibration issues. A bad steering damper shock can cause a side to side vibration of the steering wheel bad enough to shake you off the road, literally.

Mike

k_902 wrote:

good point Mike! ;-)