Steering wheel play

[73 CJ5]

I need help with a steering question, I have a 73 CJ5 with manual steering. It is on a 4" super lift and 2 inch body lift. I repalced most everything from the wheels up (35 inch tires BTW) including a steering box rebuild. I am still getting about a 1.5-2.5 inch play in the steering wheel before it catches the tries and starts turning them. Could this be soemthin in the steering colum like a loose bearing or soething?

It is the only piece I have not rebuilt/replaced that would have to do with steering. My big fear is that the 35's are just too much but that really dosen't make sense with the front end raised and no load.

Any suggestions please throw them my way, thanks...

 

[cerrajero]

post pic of the column please
but i can tell you that theres not a big chance that its the column
but it still could be possible
does it have that much play when the key is in the locked position ?
and running but stopped?

 

[73 CJ5]

Ill put some pics up when I get home tonight, there is always play in the steering wheel, key on or off and I can turn the wheel back and forth with the play and the steering shaft wont move. Everything is solid from the linckage at the firewall down.

 

[Sasquach]

Get on your back and have a 2nd person turn the wheel back and forth while you look for lagging/moving parts.
When you turn the wheel does the intermediate shaft turn without play?
Does the intermediate shaft transmit all it's movement to the box?
Does the pitman arm move without play?
Does the steering box shift side to side in it's mount?
Do the ball joints have play?

 

[73 CJ5]

O.K. I found the play in the steering, it is where the shaft connects to the steering box. The linkage is the type that has the cup with the two sqare caps on the dowel (hope this make sense). The slop is actually in where the collar on the box side holds the cup onto the shaft. I have treid tightening the collar to see if that helped but it is still sloppy. Maybe I need a new collar. By the way the linckage here is all newly replace except for the collar.

 

[BusaDave9]

Sounds like this is what you need.
Original Replacement Parts 8121299K - Steering Shaft Coupling Kit for 76-86 Jeep® CJ Series with Manual Steering - Quadratec

 

[73 CJ5]

I ended up wrapping a piece of metal aroung the shaft where the collar goes and was able to tighten it down enough to keep the shafts tightly held together. I replaced everything bu tthe collar when I rebuilt the steering box. Works great now... I love my Jeep!

Thanks for the help and suggestions, another problem solved by Jeep CJ.com members.