Steering problem , linkage is off

[TOOLTIME1959]

I just purchased a 1984 CJ7 ( not running ) , the first ttime i drove it i got 1 turn to right and 2 turns to left , i removed the pitman arm and centered steering gear. Now the pitman goes back and 15-20 degrees to drivers side , i cant reconnect the steering linkage because it is a couple of inches short , any thoughts or ideas , all the measurements on the linkage ck out , could i have a steering gear that is twisted inside ????

 

[tarry99]

I just purchased a 1984 CJ7 ( not running ) , the first ttime i drove it i got 1 turn to right and 2 turns to left , i removed the pitman arm and centered steering gear. Now the pitman goes back and 15-20 degrees to drivers side , i cant reconnect the steering linkage because it is a couple of inches short , any thoughts or ideas , all the measurements on the linkage ck out , could i have a steering gear that is twisted inside ????

Is that a dropped Pittman arm? If so I would say that it is incorrectly keyed for the year steering gear your putting it on..........that'a why its way off. Dropped arms were only made for a few applications........you can file the Key out of the inside of the arm with a small angled shaped jewelers file........... tedious work ...takes about a half hour but can be done.......what your doing is filing in another grove right in the middle where the key exists...........now the Arm will go on anywhere............you still want to set it up just like you did before......box centered which normally is 1/2 way from stop to stop........then stick your arm on in a straight back position........do not move your arm or box anymore until after you have adjusted the Drag link and Tie Rod to the point they both fall in...........set your toe in at about 1/16" / 1/8" and your good to go...........also the spindle stops should be adjusted.

 

[Old Dog]

You shouldn't need to take the pitman arm off, just adjust the draglink.
That's assuming you have the right arm.

 

[DHugg]

I just purchased a 1984 CJ7 ( not running ) , the first ttime i drove it i got 1 turn to right and 2 turns to left , i removed the pitman arm and centered steering gear. Now the pitman goes back and 15-20 degrees to drivers side , i cant reconnect the steering linkage because it is a couple of inches short , any thoughts or ideas , all the measurements on the linkage ck out , could i have a steering gear that is twisted inside ????

Tooltime'59, center your wheels then re-attach your pitman arm in the center. You may have the same worn-out steering column that I have. After ten tries to adjust the steering wheel in the center, I've given up until the steering column gets a rebuild. Grab the steering shaft where it attaches to the steering column and try to give it a heavy shake. In my CJ7 1980, it wobbles like the bottom bearings are completely gone [PROBABLY ARE!].