Is my mechanic full of it?

[DSM]

I had the steering box changed as there was a lot of play in it. when I got it back it was better but there still was play. I asked about this and they said having play in the steering was normal. I have never had a car/truck with play in it. I understand that CJ7s wander some but the play makes it rather dangerous at speeds above 40. So my question is should there be any play in the steering box?

 

[Sasquach]

Many pieces in the steering system and rarely will replacing one component solve everything. You can narrow it down by getting on your back under the jeep and have someone else turn the wheel and see what happens.

 

[hdgapeach]

You'd be the luckiest Jeeper in the Country if the only thing wore out in your steering and suspension systems was the steering box you replaced!

It's pretty common for "new" or rebuilt steering boxes to come out of the box with slop, sometimes worse than the one you took out. I've returned more than one rebuilt unit attempting to get a good one.

Everything from the steering wheel to the spindles could be contributors to squirrelly steering issues;
Steering column - loose tilt mechanism, wore out bell joint coupler, wore out rag joint, loose column bearings.
Ball joints, tie rod ends, drag links, loose wheel bearings.
Then suspension contributors - bad leaf spring bushings, loose shackle bolts, U bolts, loose spring hangers.

Bigger tires can magnify the effect of worn suspension components. A big one I noticed on my CJ5 was the influence on the frame the torque caused when I got someone to turn the steering wheel while the engine was off. Seeing the frame twist was a shocker! A steering box brace helped eliminate the biggest part of the frame twist.

Check all your components. Fix or replace what needs it and keep us in the loop of your progress.

By the way, welcome to the site and come back often! Hit the vote link at the top of the page and bump the Jeep-CJ site up a notch.

 

[danray48]

All the responses above are correct, but if your mechanic says it's normal, yes he's full of it. If you have steering play, then some component in your steering is worn. My 79 CJ7 has no play, and I wouldn't put up with it. They didn't come that way new, so why would it be normal now?

 

[Posi]

I asked about this and they said having play in the steering was normal.

Then why the need for the mechanic to swap out the box? As others have said there are other steering components that add to steering play.

A while back someone posted a detailed writeup of tracking down loose steering, I think the member was from Maine not sure though. It would have been nice if it was a sticky, it was detailed and helpful to others.

 

[Petescj]

A while back someone posted a detailed writeup of tracking down loose steering, I think the member was from Maine not sure though. It would have been nice if it was a sticky, it was detailed and helpful to others.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/troubleshooting-correcting-your-steering-4106/

 

[Posi]

Thanks Pete

 

[Lumpy Grits]

OP-You need to have the front end ck'd on an alignment rack by pros.
Lack of toe-in and to little caster can cause road wander.
I have the same steering bx that it came with almost 30 yrs ago, in mine--
Is your CJ 'lifted'?
LG

 

[CJ]

74 CJ5 - 70 plus on the interstate no problem.

CJ8 is an easy 75 or more vehicle.

A correct steering adjustment with good hardware is what is required.

 

[Fastatv]

I had the steering box changed as there was a lot of play in it. when I got it back it was better but there still was play. I asked about this and they said having play in the steering was normal. I have never had a car/truck with play in it. I understand that CJ7s wander some but the play makes it rather dangerous at speeds above 40. So my question is should there be any play in the steering box?

There shouldn't be any play. First thing to do is find the sourse ( s ) of the play. It could be that you may need to adjust the steering box worm gear?

 

[Techlight]

Well damn, the title of this post is the same question I ask myself every time I look in the mirror. My answer is usually, "Yep, I was lying to myself when I said I needed that mod to "fix" whatever issue I had"