Knuckle dragging on the spring

[babyboomerboy]

I just bought a 1967 CJ5 and have a few issues that need to be addressed. First, the knuckle on my tie-rod is dragging across the top of my leaf spring and making it very hard to steer. It is on the right side that I am talking about. I noticed that on the later years the knuckle is over by the tire and on mine it is out away from the tire. I am sure the PO put extended shackles on the front and that may have flatten out the springs but I can't see that that would cause the knuckle to hit the spring. Sorry if I don't make to much sense, it is hard to describe this problem. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Old Dog]

Pic's please.

 

[babyboomerboy]

Pic's please.

I took a large bar and tried to pry up in the tie-rod, but when I took it out for a test it still hangs up when I turn left.

 

[IOPort51]

lost a caster wedge shim? Maybe?

 

[babyboomerboy]

lost a caster wedge shim? Maybe?

Thank you for the reply. Where is the caster wedge shim suppose to be?

I jacked the jeep up and turned to wheel all the way to the right with no problem, but when I brought it back to the middle, (straight), and began to turn right it stiffens up and turns real hard and sticks like its locked up. When I looked at the tie-rods I can see that the knuckle is not hitting the leaf spring while on the jack so I don't think the knuckle rubbing on the leaf spring is the problem. Anyone got any ideas? The jeep had been sitting for several years without moving. Thanks

 

[IOPort51]

check the joint on the end of the axle. turn the steering whel and the wheel at the same time. with it jacked up.

 

[Old Dog]

Take a look at the ball joints while your down there.

 

[fzsk4p]

Not the joint on the end of the axle....Whatever that is........Nor is it ball joints.

The springs have lost their arch and flattened out. Thus the linkage is dragging on the spring. You proved it by lifting the Jeep in the air and taking the weight off the spring. The spring resumes it`s arch and all is well.

And yes, those are extended shackles with a pretty lousy angle.

New springs or at least a rebuild of the old.

 

[IOPort51]

the joint at the end of the axle would be a Universal or a ball and socket between the shaft and the spindle. If they go dry it will make turning the wheel hard.
I don't know why it would be in just one direction.

"I jacked the jeep up and turned to wheel all the way to the right with no problem, but when I brought it back to the middle, (straight), and began to turn right it stiffens up and turns real hard and sticks like its locked up. When I looked at the tie-rods I can see that the knuckle is not hitting the leaf spring while on the jack so I don't think the knuckle rubbing on the leaf spring is the problem."

Not the joint on the end of the axle....Whatever that is........Nor is it ball joints.

The springs have lost their arch and flattened out. Thus the linkage is dragging on the spring. You proved it by lifting the Jeep in the air and taking the weight off the spring. The spring resumes it`s arch and all is well.

And yes, those are extended shackles with a pretty lousy angle.

New springs or at least a rebuild of the old.

 

[babyboomerboy]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will put it back on jack stands and see if anything is loose. I am going to buy a new set of springs and bushings also.

 

[babyboomerboy]

Got a chance to play a little and this is what I did to help describe the problem I am having with the steering. First picture I put string down the fender as a guide. Second picture shows the travel of the tire when I turn the wheel right. The third picture shows where the turning left binds up the steering. From this piont on it is very hard to turn the wheel and the wheel is stuck or bound up somehow. Its just as hard to turn it back right until the wheels are almost straight again and then its easy to keep turning right. Got any ideas as to why it binds up? Thanks

 

[IOPort51]

I would be thinking about pulling the pitman arm off to see if the problem was the front end or the steering box. I think dropping the arm will be easier than pulling the drag link bearing.

 

[Old Dog]

I would see if the problem was the front end or the steering box.

I agree

 

[babyboomerboy]

I would be thinking about pulling the pitman arm off to see if the problem was the front end or the steering box. I think dropping the arm will be easier than pulling the drag link bearing.

Thank you for the suggestion, it sounds like a good place to start. After I got the nut off, I couldn't get the bolt to slide out of the arm. Is there a step I am missing? Just how much force does it take?

 

[IOPort51]

special tools are required to break this loose.

YouTube - ‪Tie rod Repair‬‏

Thank you for the suggestion, it sounds like a good place to start. After I got the nut off, I couldn't get the bolt to slide out of the arm. Is there a step I am missing? Just how much force does it take?

 

[babyboomerboy]

I removed the steering connecting rod from the steering bellcrank. The hubs moved freely and went full travel. The steering was still hard when it began to come left. I disconnected the drag link from the steering bellcrank. The steering bellcrank turned freely and didn't bind up. The steering was still the same as before. So now I know that the problem is in the steering box. Does anyone have any pointers for bringing a steering box back to life or does it need a transplant?

 

[fzsk4p]

On top of the steering box is a nut with an allen head bolt in the center of it. This allen bolt adjusts backlash in the steering box.

Possible (but not likely) the PO could have tightened down the allen head and the gears in the steering box are binding.

Loosen the nut while holding the allen bolt. Back the allen off a turn and see what happens. Doubt it will help but it is cheap and easy.

 

[IOPort51]

NAPA sells a rebuild for it but I would think seriously about new or at least good used.

Is there a possibility that the box is not at center?? How many easy turns will it make lock to lock??

 

[babyboomerboy]

Is there any lub or oil that goes in the steering box and if so where is the filler cap?