steering box

Just got a 69 cj-5. I'm a new jeep enthusiest and don't know much. My steering is slopy. I plan on takeing out the steering box and cleaning it. If that doesnt work then I'll will probably replace it. Any thoughts? How about any usefull little hints to make the job as easey as posible.

 

Im thinking the first suspect is the drag link (the rod between the box and bell crank) I would check that before I got to taking apart the steering box. There a a adjustment on the driver side of the box thats easy to work. Just loosin the lock nut and tighting adjustment screw. HTH

 

would rebuild the bell crank before messing w/draglink. get a factory manual if you don't have one, they help out a lot.

 

Before you take anything apart. set the E-brake, find a helper. lay under the front of the jeep (not running) and have your helper cycle the wheel back and forth through the slack portion of it's movement; observe each end of each section of steering linkage. chances are you have slack in many of them and it is adding up to a lot. including:

steering box internal slop
steering box output shaft bearing slop
drag link (each end) ----somewhat adjustable
bell crank shaft/bearings
tie rod ends
steering knuckle bearings... (should be in the air to check)

check them all, then plan your stradegy to correct what needs correcting and get out your wallet... .02 :v6: Randy

 

Tie rod ends are really bad about causing slack.

 

I've found that in many cases it is no single thing that causes problems, but the wear and tear over time of all the steering components.

If I was going to tackle a problem like this on a jeep that I was going to keep, I'd just start with the bearings / seals in the steering knuckles and work backwards.

Those bearings in the knuckle never turn more than 3/4 turn in their lives, and the top bearing is poorly lubricated, and the bottom bearing gets the 'benefit' of years of sand, dirt, and other detritus that accumulates in the steering knuckles. I have never taken a knuckle apart where the bearings and cups weren't bad, usually really bad.

Oh, and talking about knuckle bearings could bring up the subject of "knuckle pudding". My recipe for knuckle pudding is 140 weight oil, just like the manual calls for. Don't fill it all the way to the bottom of the filler hole, leave a small gap between the top of the oil and the bottom of the filler hole.

The last thing I would do would be to rebuild the steering box. Adjust, maybe, but rebuild - last thing, and ony if it still needed it.

The steering box is a little trickier to get back together right than it would seem, and if the pittman arm /sector shaft bushings are not shot, probably does not need more than an adjustment.

good luck

kamel

 

Howdy, Oh Nephew Mine!! Glad to see you're here!

Guys, this is the jeep I posted about before Christmas. My Nephew's first Jeep. I meant to get back let y'all know that we had gotten a bit done over the holidays. We did rebuild the bell crank and he did a fine job helping! Unforunately it didn't make a huge difference. No surprise there. I expect that ALL of you are right: draglink, tie rod ends, the whole nine yards. I was heading for the steering box next because I'd already tried adjusting it, and when I opened it up to fill it, black dust poofed out!!! It hadn't seen grease in many moons. The tie rods don't look to have a whole lot of play, and since knownothinjeeper is on a tight budget, I'm looking for the most likely culprits first. the knuckle's were kinda low on my list...sounds like I better move them higher!

All advice is good, Thanks!
Megan

 

Old thread, but hope to get some more info. I have 15 inch rims with 29 inch tires (they say 15 10.5LT), and the steering is also sloppy. While adjusting toe, found the Heims are worn thru the threads by the clamps. I would like start replacing ball joints, heim joints, etc. What is the best source for replacement parts? This is a non-saginaw unit and I am operating under the assumption that it will be sufficient for the tires I have.

BTW, thx to the members for critical info on the replacement of the motor mounts. This place is a well run wealth of info.

 

I don't know if it's the best source, but I picked up parts from North Star Willys. Also, A lot of stuff is still available from NAPA. Good Luck,
Megan