HELP! with Steering!

[schooncj7]

I am attaching some pictures to see if you can notice anything. I have had the jeep for about three months and since I have owned it the steering has more play than I know it should have. I am not fimliar with the steering on Jeeps so I could use some help. Let me know if you see anything that stands out. Thanks

 

[dalefan88]

check for play in the tierods or the steering box might be shot.

 

[Old Dog]

check for play in the tierods or the steering box might be shot.

What he said.
Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth (engine off) while you watch and see if anything seems to have slop in it.(rod ends, box mount,ect)

If you can turn the steering wheel very far before anything moves than it's your box.

 

[schooncj7]

Thanks I'll try that and check back

 

[Jroch]

Great topic as I had the same question and a little to add, is it common for Jeeps to turn tighter left then right?

 

[Old Dog]

Great topic as I had the same question and a little to add, is it common for Jeeps to turn tighter left then right?

short amswer NO.

 

[Jroch]

short amswer NO.

Thanks Old Dog, that seems to be my luck with this thing Chaulk that up to one more thing I need to look into, on a side note my tires showed up today and you were dead on with the 33's I think I am really going to like them hopefully I can get them mounted tomorrow

 

[Old Dog]

Great topic as I had the same question and a little to add, is it common for Jeeps to turn tighter left then right?

While you are changing your tires check the steering stops to see if one is adjusted out farther than the other. never know about PO's

 

[plumcrazy]

What he said.
Have someone turn the steering wheel back and forth (engine off) while you watch and see if anything seems to have slop in it.(rod ends, box mount,ect)

If you can turn the steering wheel very far before anything moves than it's your box.

This is the best way to find the play. Check the lower steering shaft that runs from the firewall to the box. Factory shafts are only a pin type that wears. I replaced mine with a universal joint type. Night and day difference.

 

[mylittlecj5]

Great topic as I had the same question and a little to add, is it common for Jeeps to turn tighter left then right?

check to see that the front axle isn't offset a little to one side or the other. I was doing some work to mine and found the axle was moved about 2" to the right side. Seems its pretty normal as a couple other members reported the same thing. That in itself will cause a tighter turn to one side, I believe.


On a related note, how far does anyone else's frame move side to side when turning the wheel on hard ground without moving? Mine goes about 3" or so before it breaks the tire's resistance and actually starts turning the tires...

 

[plumcrazy]

check to see that the front axle isn't offset a little to one side or the other. I was doing some work to mine and found the axle was moved about 2" to the right side. Seems its pretty normal as a couple other members reported the same thing. That in itself will cause a tighter turn to one side, I believe.


On a related note, how far does anyone else's frame move side to side when turning the wheel on hard ground without moving? Mine goes about 3" or so before it breaks the tire's resistance and actually starts turning the tires...

What would allow the axle to move that much. Doesn't the center bolt on the spring pack hold the axle in place or are the shackle bushing allowing the move?

 

[kicknjeep]

little do you have a steering box brace? Mine does that movement thing and several people have told me that between the stock box mount and having no brace is the reason that the frame moves before the tires turn. Just a thought.. Oh and my axle is about an inch to the drivers side, Wonder if PO mounted it that way accidentally when doing the SOA even though the top perches are directly over the existing bottom ones. sorry for the hijack...

 

[schooncj7]

Ok I don't have anyone here yet to move the wheel while I look underneath but I did move the wheel with the engine on and off and both I have a half turn before the wheel even reacts. I'm assuming with that much play it's the box and if so have difficult is it to change one I am somewhat mechanically inclined just don't have a shop to lift the jeep

 

[mylittlecj5]

little do you have a steering box brace? Mine does that movement thing and several people have told me that between the stock box mount and having no brace is the reason that the frame moves before the tires turn. Just a thought.. Oh and my axle is about an inch to the drivers side, Wonder if PO mounted it that way accidentally when doing the SOA even though the top perches are directly over the existing bottom ones. sorry for the hijack...

Nope..no steering brace yet...But I do have the clamp to build one as soon as I start in on the front axle work...

I have a straight spring lift and it sits to the side. No way to screw that up, and yet it still sits offset to the passenger side. I concluded it was a factory thing...

 

[mylittlecj5]

Ok I don't have anyone here yet to move the wheel while I look underneath but I did move the wheel with the engine on and off and both I have a half turn before the wheel even reacts. I'm assuming with that much play it's the box and if so have difficult is it to change one I am somewhat mechanically inclined just don't have a shop to lift the jeep

Sorry for what became a hijack!

Anyways, its not that hard to change out the steering box. A few bolts, a couple hose fittings, and remove the steering shaft.
The hardest part is removing the pitman arm to change it over to the other box.
Just remove the nut on the bottom of the shaft, remove the lock washer. Now thread the nut back ON until the bottom of the threads are covered up. Now whack it with a big hammer on the side of the box shaft until it falls off...
It'll fall onto the nut instead of the floor. Then just remove it and the nut.

 

[schooncj7]

Thanks, now I can get one at my local parts place for around AMC 150 but notice all the ones online start around 250 or more is there any big difference? I currently have 31" tires and don't plan on running larger tires anytime soon so there shouldn't be to much strain

 

[mylittlecj5]

then get one at your FLAPS...they will give you good service. Just be prepared for a $200 core charge!

Hint: take your old one off and take it with you when you order/get the new one. The little town I live in doesn't keep things like that in stock, so I would have had to order one. Yours may carry one.

But please...Before you spend that money, get someone out there to help you look over that front end as one of you turns the wheel back and forth. A 1/2 turn of play is way too much and you dont want to waste money throwing parts at it if its not going to fix it. Check the tie rod ends, the box mounting bolts, everything... even the wheel bearing play...It all comes into play when chasing down a loose steering wheel!

 

[schooncj7]

Ok thanks. I was able to get my wife out there for a few minutes before she started complaining and noticed the bracket holding the box had a lot of movement. I don't know if it would cause half a turn of play but I will start there because the heavy duty brackets are expensive enough and then work my way up to the box.

 

[Old Dog]

If your not running 35's and the bracket is NOT broken, you might be able to just tighten the bolts and be good. But make the bracket and or frame is in good shape.

 

[schooncj7]

Yeah just tried to tighten the bolts but one is rusted through on the inside of the frame. could be causing a lot of the problem because it was loose and won't tighten. When I get a chance I am going to cut off the bolt and try to attach it another way.