?? on hime joint steering??

[rancherruss1916]

I purchased my first jeep a month or so ago. And couldn't be happier. But it has had all off the steering converted to hime joints and grade 8 bolts. Looks like a very solid set up except the po did not adjust at all.... would only turn left and horribly toed out. With the 33' s let's just say it was a long hundred miles home. I have adjusted it so it will turn and gave it a little toe in but is still hard to handle on gravel roads.. my ? Is has anybody else had this set up with same results or could it be another problem like the steering box, seems to take quite a bit off turning the wheel before it responds....

 

[Old Dog]

Himes will wear faster than tie rod ends but if in good shape will be just as tight. If they are in good shape I think your problems might be some where else.
Have someone else turn the steering wheel back and forth while you watch for what is moving before the wheels start to turn.

 

[rancherruss1916]

Yes. I have and all seems tight but steering box seems slow to react.. and I agree on the wear factor too. I am considering going back to stock but expect It will cost more to go back to factory steering than it cost to co very to the himes

 

[99jpxj]

As posted previously, definitely have someone wiggle the wheel back and forth while you watch and feel each component for play. If you see the steering shaft changing directions immediately but the pitman takes part of a turn to begin moving the opposite direction, you have a worn steering gearbox. If that is good, but you don't see the knuckles changing directions immediately, one or more heims or mounting holes could be worn. If you see steering response at the knuckle immediately, but it still drives poorly, I'd measure your caster angle and see where that is sitting. If the Jeep currently looks like your avatar picture, it looks like the front axle is pushed rearward somewhat, probably due to longer shackles, which can roll your pinion angle up if not corrected with degree shims, new springs, or both. This can cause all kinds of undesirable handling issues.

 

[tarry99]

I purchased my first jeep a month or so ago. And couldn't be happier. But it has had all off the steering converted to hime joints and grade 8 bolts. Looks like a very solid set up except the po did not adjust at all.... would only turn left and horribly toed out. With the 33' s let's just say it was a long hundred miles home. I have adjusted it so it will turn and gave it a little toe in but is still hard to handle on gravel roads.. my ? Is has anybody else had this set up with same results or could it be another problem like the steering box, seems to take quite a bit off turning the wheel before it responds....

Lets see some pictures.........of the angles on the drag Link & tie rod, the heim joints, shackles..........lots of things create issues in steering.

 

[DHugg]

Yes. I have and all seems tight but steering box seems slow to react.. and I agree on the wear factor too. I am considering going back to stock but expect It will cost more to go back to factory steering than it cost to co very to the himes

I drive an '80 CJ7 that has run in Western rocks with big 35's. The steering column is worn completely out. There are no rollers left in the bearing just where the column shaft exits to connect to the upper steering shaft. I suspect also that the middle of the column has some loose bolts - no matter where I set the steering wheel, it always winds up galley-west after the first turn.

From everything I've read on this forum, I expect to gain a tighter steering configuration with a column overhaul than from replacing the wallowed-out tierod ends. When both of them are complete, I can exceed 45MPH without the front wheels wobbling like crazy. In reading your posts, I sense some similarities with your machine. I hope this can help a bit.

 

[rancherruss1916]

I will snap some pics when I get back to the ranch tomorrow. And I'm going to look into caster camber some more. Thanks

 

[rancherruss1916]

I figured it out.. and feel pretty dumb about it lol.... upper spring shackle bolts on front both about to fall out and steering gearbox bolts were loose...lol . I had my son turn it while I watched before not sure how I missed the gear jumping around... hope I can keep it tight now. As I'm not sure how long its been that way