I managed to finally install the bearing kit that dramatically improved the steering in the Jeep.  What a huge difference it makes now.  Before, you could turn the wheel from side-to-side and not much would happen.  The kit part number is 4487696K and an be found on ebay from a variety of vendors. I purchased mine from the 4X4DUDE.

While I was working on the steering issue, I thought I'd attempt to take the slack out of the steering column.  To do that, I had to pull the steering wheel.  As it turns out, I can't get far enough into the column to see, much less fix, the looseness in the column.  But since I had the steering wheel of, I thought I'd go ahead and add a new smaller (13.5") steering wheel.  With the factory steering wheel, I can't apply the parking brake with the door closed due to having such long legs.  It is also a little difficult to get in the Jeep with the steering wheel in the way.  So I went to the local Autozone and picked up a Grant Steering Wheel.  Model number 415. It took a little of time to figure out how to install the wheel and still have the horn work.  After about an hour of struggling, I broke down and read the instructions.

Since I've installed the new bearing and steering wheel, the Jeep is MUCH more enjoyable to drive. It handles great!  Why didn't I do this a long time ago?