I noticed about a week ago that my YJ is apt to wander a little. Now that I have the new tires on, it's somewhat more noticeable. There's not really any rhyme or reason to it, sometimes it goes left, sometimes it goes right, other times it's right on track. There does seem to be some slop in the steering as well. I've done some initial research and have come up with a few things to look at as contributing factors:
1. Alignment
2. Ball Joints
3. TREs
4. Steering box
5. Improper/mismatched air pressure in tires
I did not have an alignment done when the new tires were installed yesterday... nor was it suggested by the service tech. I'd really like to learn how to do the alignment myself but I'll need a Jedi master to take me as his padawan. As far as the steering components listed above, they have been on the YJ since I bought it w/ only minimal attention given to them. I have no 1st-hand experience with ball joints, TREs or the steering box other than greasing and fluid management. I do know that 6 years ago when the body shop was trying to save my Jeep, the tech told me that he was unable to get the Grant steering wheel exactly straight (like 3*-5* off) but that the rest of the steering components were A-OK. It has driven true ever since then and the only time it veered was if one of the front tires was lower pressure than the other... easily corrected.
I'll have the wife manipulate the steering while I check out the undercarriage at some point in the near future. Is there anything I'm neglectiong to see or need to be aware of? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.