68 P/S Steering Issues

[Yeti]

Hey All,
As per this thread http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/issues-1967-cj5-steering-box-1136/

I'm looking at buying a 68 CJ that has had a P/S conversion and the seller says that @ 50 mph it's tough to keep it from going all over the road. I think it has had a little lift and it has 30-33" tires (from pics only).
What could be causing this problem? And Is it that expensive to replace the P/S box? could this fix the problem?

It's a pretty stock 68 other than the p/s ,tires, and lift...I think.

Thanks for all your help!
I'll post pics as they become available.

 

[CJ]

How wide are those tires? Beleive it or not there is a huge difference between driving on tires wider then 12.5" on most CJ's. There was a good thread here about that... -->> http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/wider-isnt-always-better-629/


How much play is in the steering? Has the front end ever been aligned? Is the castor correct?

 

[Yeti]

CJ,
See my gallery. I added the pictures the owner sent me. I don't know about any of these questions as the jeep is in Daytona and I'm in Tallahassee. Maybe you can see something I can't from these photos.

Jeep-CJ Forums - View Profile: Yeti

I would like to be able to drive it back (SLOWWWWLY) from Daytona if possible but if not... I'll find a trailer&truck to go get it. Is this a reasonable expectation? or Am I just wishing for something that ain't gonna happen?


Thanks for the help!

 

[Yeti]

Okay,
Seller tells me the tires are 12.5 wide But! They are from 1995 so that might have something to do with it. I'm sure 14 year old rubber (in Florida) isn't too grippy!

 

[CJ]

Many, many , many things could cause these problems - an unbalanced tire is one I forgot to add... Unfortunately diagnosis by picture is not something that we can do...

But, there is no reason that you cannot get the CJ to drive correctly at highway speeds, it's just finding the problem and correcting it...

 

[Yeti]

So I got the new jeep home this weekend (68 CJ5 with 225 Dauntless Buick 225 V6 and a T-18 tranny)! I trailered it from Daytona to Tallahassee without incident.

I'm going to put new tires on it and get an alignment/balance. The current tires are 35x12.5. I think those may be playing into the problems with steering. I'm going to replace them with 33" BFG A/T KO's since it'll be a beach crawler for most of the summer and then get a set of M/T's for this fall.

There is also some play in the steering wheel linkage at the P/S box. I've read it's easier to just replace the P/S box with a new one.
Any thing I need to know when ordering the new P/S Box? I think it's a saginaw.

Also, any suggestions on how to go about install a tilt steering column? I'm a big boy and the there isn't much room between the seat and the steering wheel.

Thanks I'll be :grinjeep: in no time.

 

[CJ]

Interesting evening...

I had to go to Tall. to pick up an utility trailer to haul back an engine so I decided to stop in at Yeti's place and scope out his new 68 CJ5 .

WOW!!! What a great CJ! The body is in the best condition of ANY early CJ I have ever seen! It is solid! There is a small amount of typical CJ rocker rust but all the floor pans and body mounts are perfect!

The Dauntless Buick 225 V6 looks and runs pretty well, it does need a carb rebuild but there seems to be no leaks except maybe a drip from the rear main... Also some typical diff seal and axle seepage.. BUT - This thing has 90% of the original wiring, actual fabric carpeting, updated power steering, a T-18 (!!!), did I mention the solid body, great brakes, the gauges work (LOL - the temp and fuel gauge are reversed (oops!!! )) It looks to have about a 3" lift (but has those typical damn homemade front extended shackles), the rear had degree shims...

We went over the CJ from the front to the rear, top side and bottom... I recommended cleaning up the wiring, changing all hoses and fluids, doing a full tune up, tighten the gear box and look for replacement shackles (it wanders like crazy), the front drive shaft is worn out at the slip yoke area... But other then these very minor areas, Yeti has one very nice CJ!


He wouldn't give me time to go get my trailer though...

Check out this OLD home made traction bar...

Yeti said about the only thing he wishes the CJ had was a tilt coulumn...

OH WAIT! It does! An early model (no key) tilt!

 

[Yeti]

Hey Thanks Again, CJ!
It was nice to have such a thorough inspection to get me started!
I'm glad you showed up before I screwed anything up too bad!

And I just about jumped for joy when you "pointed out" the tilt steering!

Well, I'm glad it's a long weekend coming up because I've got some work to do!

I'll let everyone know how it goes! I'm gonna tighten the gearbox first and then replace the front shackles. We'll see how that does for fixing the road wander.
And I'll post some pictures in my gallery too!

Again,
Thanks, CJ!!

 

[CJ]

~~And I just about jumped for joy when you "pointed out" the tilt steering!~~

Thank you for allowing me to look over your new purchase...

BTW - Yeti is not a 'small' person... I'm not small either but he has me by a bit! He has to fold himself into the CJ when he drives it, imagine his surprise when I showed him that the wheel DOES indeed tilt! He just wasn't pulling on the tilt lever hard enough!

We went over the CJ very closely and I showed him a trick on getting some more room (how to cut the seat bracket and lower the seat front).

Now, I have a question for all you early CJ guys and galls (I'm not real up to spead on them), this CJ has power steering and if the gear box needs to be replaced or rebuilt, what fits? It lloks like a typical AMC pump but the gear box is definately not a later saginaw type. The pitman arm output side is very long and extended... Yeti! Snap a pic as I forgot to take one...

 

[Yeti]

I'll snap a pic as soon as I get home.

And I try not to pull on things too hard as they tend to let go of whatever they where holding on to (I think I showed you the radio antenna)!
Then I get a woops!! and a large repair bill.
But it's nice to know that this jeep can take a little more abuse!

 

[Yeti]

Alright,
Here is the Power Steering Gear Box. Does any one know what type it is?
These thumnails link to the originals in my gallery.


I would have posted more angles but I'm out of room on my gallery!

CJ, can I just start a new gallery or is the max space 10mb?

I've got a picture of the tailgate I'd like to post too. Then we can see if anyone knows if it's the original or not.