steering issues....

[miravete]

ok, so ive googled, and ive searched, but havent found a definite answer.

I can turn my steering wheel 2-3 inches before the wheels start turning.

suspension wise: stock
wheels: 31.5 x 15's (was already having problems with stock wheels)

steering wheel will turn as well as the steering shaft all the way to the steering box...THATS where the play is at....


some people say its this part...



but i dont even know where it goes

another friend says its the whole steering box....that it needs a rebuild..

(ive already tightened the screw on top, and its still wobbles...




heres a vid of my problem...

 

[Jimbos76cj]

I see your problem.. steering wheel is on the wrong side. Sorry.. I couldnt help myself. It could be the part that you posted but does it have that type of connector? On most Cj's you can see the bell connector. I couldnt see that well from your vid. I wouldnt think that that connection would be able to turn that far. Does it turn the wheels eventually or not at all. Also do youre wheels all the way from side to side?

 

[miravete]

I see your problem.. steering wheel is on the wrong side. Sorry.. I couldnt help myself. It could be the part that you posted but does it have that type of connector? On most Cj's you can see the bell connector. I couldnt see that well from your vid. I wouldnt think that that connection would be able to turn that far. Does it turn the wheels eventually or not at all. Also do youre wheels all the way from side to side?

steering wheel is on the wrong side you say..??

lol

well, since i dont know EXACTLY where the bell connector should go, i dont know where to look for it. ill take better pics after work....

let me see if i can explain without pics for the meantime....

steering wheel....steering shaft...plate with 4 screws/nuts that connects to another shaft WHICH goes into the steering box...

and yes, it turns the wheels eventually...after like 3 inches of free-play...

and i didnt understand your last sentence... "also do youre wheels all the way from side to side"

 

[tarry99]

Miravete:
You just have to follow the moving parts as they go down through the steering system, anywhere along that path from the steering wheel could be a problem all the way via the tie rod to the spindles.
Just keep moving parts along that chain and as long as the movement is One to One from each part to the next move further down the system. At some point the movement at one end will not match the other end and "Walla" you will find the warn part.

 

[tarry99]

Also adjusting that sector shaft nut on top of your gear will do nothing more than a fine adjustment in the internal gear mesh. If its not the gear box you need to return that adjustment back to where it came from.

 

[miravete]

Miravete:
You just have to follow the moving parts as they go down through the steering system, anywhere along that path from the steering wheel could be a problem all the way via the tie rod to the spindles.
Just keep moving parts along that chain and as long as the movement is One to One from each part to the next move further down the system. At some point the movement at one end will not match the other end and "Walla" you will find the warn part.

Thats what i did... I followed the moving parts.

Steering wheel and steering shaft move perfectly fine UNTILL it gets to the steering box.


The rod that comes from the steering wheel that goes into the steering box will twist 2-3 inches BEFORE the wheels turn...

And i can feel/hear as if the rod inside the steering box is not engaging... As if something inside is slipping.

 

[tarry99]

Well that answers your question..........if the movement doesn't match the two ends then the part in the middle is "junk"

 

[tarry99]

One last thing , you keep referring to the the fact it moves 2-3inches before the wheels turn.............have you checked the movement on the steering box from the input shaft to the Pittman Arm on the steering box only? If so that should be your problem. If not
there still is a lot of downstream parts beyond the gear box that could be warn.

 

[CJ]

This is a great steering thread. -->> http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/troubleshooting-correcting-your-steering-4106/

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Looking at your video the steering shaft goes from the column to a another shaft maybe?? then it travels to your steering box. So your problem is some where in that connection. On a CJ that part that you say every one is telling you to change is right on the end of the Steering shaft. The CJ shaft goes from the column straight to the box and that bell connection is out in the open. Im not up to date on the steering of the Dj's so Im not sure if you have one of those. Remeber your wheel is really big so 2-3 inches there will only equate to a few degrees at the other end of the shaft. sounds like you have some play in those other connections. It probably has some type of U-joint set up and a little bit of play on each side of it will cause your slack. Sorry for my incoherent babbling.. I meant to your both of your wheels turn all the way from stop to stop.

 

[miravete]

Thank you all for your input.

Ill post better pics of the DJ5 steering box.

 

[miravete]

ok, here we go...


red: is the steering column
pink: bolts up to the steering column
yellow: steering box
green: lower arm that moves the tires

both red and pink parts move simultaneously....theres no play there...

its inside the steering box where the play starts....lol

so im guessing that the pink part has teeth on its end, and they are perhaps worn? therefore causing the problem?

because the pink part is bolted on to the red part...

or maybe its the end cap WITHIN the steering box whose teeth are worn and dont allow for quick movement.

but i dont see the coupler thing that most CJ owners are referring to...




same pic but without the coloring...

 

[tarry99]

The Pink Part is a shaft coming out of the steering gear. It has a spline cut into it at the end where the 4-bolt adapter / shock mount attaches. That Pink shaft is part of the steering gear box.
If there is play between that pink shaft and Pittman Arm ( green part) the steering box is worn out.

 

[miravete]

Thanks Tarry99...

Thats what it feels like...


Theres play between the pink part and the green part.

The pink part will twist and after 2-3 inches the green arm will move.

So, i need to have the steering box refurbished?

Is there a kit, how to, or?

 

[tarry99]

Most times , you just buy a rebuilt box at say Napa or whatever, I'm sure you could go on line and also shop. If there is a person near where you live that has experience and the right tools to rebuild the Steering Gear that's also OK.
Without the right tools and knowledge it is a job best left for a professional.
You could also see if you could find a used one in a wrecking yard, that perhaps was in better shape than yours.
Good Luck!