Play in steering

[Vesuvio]

On my 1981 CJ7 , I got a play on the steering wheel to the right or left until it engages the wheels. Is it normal?
31” wheels

 

[RealJeep]

On my 1981 CJ7 , I got a play on the steering wheel to the right or left until it engages the wheels. Is it normal?
31” wheels

There should be adjustments on the steering gearbox where you can tighten that out.

 

[RiverandSand]

There should be adjustments on the steering gearbox where you can tighten that out.

Also have someone turn the wheel back and forth while you look at the steering gear to what moves before the wheels do, that is probably a source of slop too. Bad tierods are the usual suspects.

 

[Vesuvio]

Thank you

 

[JimsCJ5]

Check the steering box mounts. Some are hard to see but they could be loose which will show up as sloppy steering.

 

[BusaDave9]

There are several places that could be the source of the free play. As stated, have someone move the steering wheel back and forth as you watch the steering. If the pitman arm is not moving when the input shaft to the steering gearbox is rotating then the gearbox is the problem.
I've seen where the shackles caused play in the steering. The axle actually moved side to side before the wheels would steer.
Keep us updated.

 

[NorCoCj5]

There are several places that could be the source of the free play. As stated, have someone move the steering wheel back and forth as you watch the steering. If the pitman arm is not moving when the input shaft to the steering gearbox is rotating then the gearbox is the problem.
I've seen where the shackles caused play in the steering. The axle actually moved side to side before the wheels would steer.
Keep us updated.

In regards to the shackles, is this a bushing issue? I can see my shackles shifting/twisting/moving/whatever you want to call it as I turn the wheel.

 

[BusaDave9]

In regards to the shackles, is this a bushing issue? I can see my shackles shifting/twisting/moving/whatever you want to call it as I turn the wheel.

Yes, if you have flex at the shackles replace the bushings with polyurethane.