Steering Play 1980 CJ7

[CorpralAgarn]

Hello CJ Forum!
New member here and I need a hand diagnosing a steering issue i am having.

I converted my rig from manual to Power Steering and have been driving it for a few years with a good amount of play in the steering. My wife has been wanting to drive it so now I need to fix it before she can (Safety first!). I replaced the manual box with a rebuilt power steering box (I think that may be my problem).

The play looks like this:
with the vehicle off, I can open the hood, grab the steering shaft and rotate it a just under a 1/4 turn. So the shaft is rotating and nothing is happening past the Steering box.
I have toyed with the adjustment accessible atop the box, but it doesn't seem to help with that play.

With the Jeep on, the play is about the same before it starts turning the tires.

When I had manual steering the play was MUCH less.

Any thoughts on this? Do I need a new box? Is there a way to replace worn out parts in a steering box? bearings gone maybe?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

 

[Petescj]

Larry Storch , is that you?? F-troop. Thats what we call the guys on 2nd shift at my work.

 

[CorpralAgarn]

Larry Storch , is that you?? F-troop. Thats what we call the guys on 2nd shift at my work.

Loved that show and Larry is one of my favorite actors!

You wouldn't happen to have any opinions on my little problem, now would you?

 

[Torxhead]

There are a lot of items in the steering assembly that can cause excessive play. By this time that probably includes everything. I would recommend that the steering box is last on the list since it is the most expensive part. There is a sticky in this forum on steering somewhere that is quite complete.

 

[hdgapeach]

That much slop in the steering shaft going into the gear box is definitely way out of specs and a great contributor to your steering issue.

You didn't mention if the steering box is a "new" rebuilt unit, bone yard take off or brand new. Either way, my experience with rebuilt and bone yard picks are hit and miss. I have been known to return two or more rebuilt units to the parts house until I eventually received one that was acceptable. That has been for Ford, Chevy and Jeep boxes. So I haven't found any discrimination amongst make of vehicle.

Hope you get it "tight", whether you rebuild yours yourself or replace. What you have now needs to be looked into.

 

[CorpralAgarn]

There are a lot of items in the steering assembly that can cause excessive play. By this time that probably includes everything. I would recommend that the steering box is last on the list since it is the most expensive part. There is a sticky in this forum on steering somewhere that is quite complete.

Hi there, thanks for your reply.
I did to a bit of looking around on this forum but could not find the sticky that you are referring too. I doesn't appear to be in the "Steering" section.

If you wouldn't mind directing me, that would be fantastic.

Thanks!

 

[CJ]

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

 

[CorpralAgarn]

You didn't mention if the steering box is a "new" rebuilt unit, bone yard take off or brand new. Either way, my experience with rebuilt and bone yard picks are hit and miss. I have been known to return two or more rebuilt units to the parts house until I eventually received one that was acceptable. That has been for Ford, Chevy and Jeep boxes. So I haven't found any discrimination amongst make of vehicle.

Hope you get it "tight", whether you rebuild yours yourself or replace. What you have now needs to be looked into.

Thanks for your reply.
It was a while ago, but I am almost positive it was a Napa rebuild.
I am not a real mechanic but I was able to replace the motor myself and I do believe it is related to the box some how.

I need to the jeep for a daily driver, so am looking to buy what I need and swap parts on a weekend. Looks like i might need to buy the whole box...

If that be the case, I have two options. Please provide opinions on which would be better:
Option 1: AGR 262357 - Superbox 2 for 80-86 Jeep CJ with 36 Splines - Quadratec

Option 2: Jeep CJ Models Power Steering Gear Box | Part Number: 82-00019-HP | Car Steering Wholesale

Difference of about $200. Not a huge deal if the more expensive box is worth it.

I do occasionally take the old girl out for some wheeling. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Thanks again, All!

 

[CorpralAgarn]

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

That is a fantastic post, but stops short of what to look for with the box itself. When i twist that steering shaft (the one that goes out of the box to the column) the pitman arm isn't even beginning to move.

I will be referring to that post at a later time, i am sure.

Thanks for posting that.

 

[Petescj]

I wouldve pointed you to the same thread CJ did. If you were close I would just let you borrow the steering box of my project to see. I know I had some steering issues on my old CJ5 years ago. I bought a new box ( like $300 at the time ) and it didnt change a thing. I'll check mine later and see if it has that movement you speak of.

Loved that show and Larry is one of my favorite actors!

You wouldn't happen to have any opinions on my little problem, now would you?

 

[tarry99]

That is a fantastic post, but stops short of what to look for with the box itself. When i twist that steering shaft (the one that goes out of the box to the column) the pitman arm isn't even beginning to move.

I will be referring to that post at a later time, i am sure.

Thanks for posting that.

Hey Nor Cal how are you?..................OK easy to look at.

Everything from the steering wheel to the Drag Link attached to the spindle is a 1:1 ratio.........so if you move the input shaft on the PS gear box a 1/4 turn the sector shaft ( that's where the Pittman arm is attached on the bottom of the gear box) should also move at a 1:1 ratio or 1/4 turn......
So if I'm reading your post correctly it sounds like your gear box is toast...meaning its worn out and the adjustment nut on top just sets the gear pre-load.
There are at least two different input shaft diameters and spline counts...........is this a 4 bolt mounted steering gear? If it is see if you can crawl under it and looking up at the gear housing just behind the large bell shaped cap is there a large 67 cast into the housing........the numbers will be stacked one on top of the other.

 

[Petescj]

Just came up from the garage and my teering shaft doesnt move the way yours does. When I try to twist it it moves very slightly and thats it running or not. Have you taken a look at the coupler thats under the boot? Your problem could be there also.

 

[CorpralAgarn]

Just came up from the garage and my teering shaft doesnt move the way yours does. When I try to twist it it moves very slightly and thats it running or not. Have you taken a look at the coupler thats under the boot? Your problem could be there also.

Thanks.

... Now, can you help me find that coupler under the boot? not sure what you mean exactly.

Thanks again!

 

[CJ]

Thanks.

... Now, can you help me find that coupler under the boot? not sure what you mean exactly.

Thanks again!

Look at #3 in this picture. -->> Jeep CJ Steering Parts & Accessories - 1972-1986 CJ5, CJ7, CJ8 Scrambler at Morris 4x4

 

[CorpralAgarn]

Look at #3 in this picture. -->> Jeep CJ Steering Parts & Accessories - 1972-1986 CJ5, CJ7, CJ8 Scrambler at Morris 4x4

Now that IS HELPFUL. THANK YOU.

I will check that out as soon as I get home.

Are there bearings in there or something to get loose?
From the picture, it looks like there is a clip or two and a snap ring?

 

[DHugg]

Thanks for your reply.

I need to the jeep for a daily driver, so am looking to buy what I need and swap parts on a weekend. Looks like i might need to buy the whole box...

If that be the case, I have two options. Please provide opinions on which would be better:
Option 1: AGR 262357 - Superbox 2 for 80-86 Jeep CJ with 36 Splines - Quadratec

Difference of about $200. Not a huge deal if the more expensive box is worth it.

I do occasionally take the old girl out for some wheeling. Not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Thanks again, All!

CorpralAgarn, I put in a Superbox 2 into my Jeep CJ7 .... it helped. The thing that helped most was a 1-piece heavy duty mount for the steering box.

Putting a HD brace on the output shaft housing of the steering box helped, too.

But the more serious of my 1980 CJ7 with 35's that ran in rocks seemingly for years (no rust, lots of serious depressions in the axle housings), the real source of why she won't run past 50 without a wobble, is wallowed-out tierod ends and no bearings left in the lower race of my steering column. I can hear the tierod ends pop and crackle as they slide from one side to the other of the elongated opening that used to be a perfect circle. I can make them clatter just by grabbing the tierod and waggling it energetically.

There is also an issue in the steering column that will not enable the steering wheel to be adjusted to center. One turn of the wheel and it is off center by 30-40 degrees..... something is slipping, and I think it is the bolts that hold the nylon coupling in place. They are notorious for coming loose.

All said, everything from my steering wheel to the point where the wheels hit the road was contributing to loose steering. I have the GM tilt column to rebuild, and the tierods to do first, then it is likely the wheel bearings and the mounting hardware. Then it is balance and align, and it oughta be good to go.

In my brief four years of Jeep ownership, one thing I have learned is that there is rarely just a single flaw causing something not to work as it should, and steering being the most mechanically complex, everything that hooks together must be suspected, inspected, and corrected if proven guilty.