Towing/Steering Issue?

[81laredo]

Morning guys,
I have been Flat Towing my 1981 CJ7 Laredo behind my Motorhome lately. Not sure if this is why but the Mounting Bolts for the Power Steering Pump have broken, Any ideas as to a cause?

The Bolts appear to have been Grade 8 Bolts and I have replaced each with Grade 8. Strange thing that it happens after being Flat Towed though.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sam5038]

I don't think flat towing it would have done anything. I can't see that much pressure would be put on it. My brother broke his frame behind the power steering box and didn't break the bolts.

 

[TroyaCantrell]

Morning guys,
I have been Flat Towing my 1981 CJ7 Laredo behind my Motorhome lately. Not sure if this is why but the Mounting Bolts for the Power Steering Pump have broken, Any ideas as to a cause?

The Bolts appear to have been Grade 8 Bolts and I have replaced each with Grade 8. Strange thing that it happens after being Flat Towed though.

Thanks in advance.

Do you have a brace on it? This was just a quick search to give you the idea.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/rugged-ridge-steering-box-brace/p3068755.jcwx




Troy Cantrell
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Build thread - '66 CJ6 :
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15075

 

[81laredo]

Thanks but that looks like a brace for the Steering Box and My issue is with the Mounting Bolts for the Power Steering Pump.

 

[Torxhead]

81laredo, if this issue happens again, you might want to look at how your pwr str pump is installed and make correcting changes. The notorious p.o. might have made some changes that has affected the pump mounting design. Other than than that, flat towing is somewhat of an art, so how is the CJ behind the motorhome?

 

[Sasquach]

Flat towing will have zero impact on the pump. Aside from that if your cj drives good and steering returns to center when hands are off then it will tow fine, if it's a handfull to keep on the road when driving it will tow accordingly and prolly eat tires more than anything.
my 2c

 

[81laredo]

I am using a DEMCO tow Bar. I do what the Owner's Manual States and put the Transfer Case in Neutral with the Transmission in 2nd. As I stated in an earlier post I have removed the Locking Pin on the Steering Column. The Power Steering Pump is with the original Brackets and since this has the Serpentine Belt I am sure that is all OK after going through the Idlers and such.
PS the CJ drives very nice and appears to have zero steering issues or vibrations when going down the road. Just wanting to cross the Ts and dot the Is before I have anymore issues.
Thanks for the help guys!

 

[TroyaCantrell]

Thanks but that looks like a brace for the Steering Box and My issue is with the Mounting Bolts for the Power Steering Pump.

Sorry about that, misread that post. Wow sheared off grade 8 bolts on the power steering pump. It would have to be torque against the bolt/ bracket like the pump jammed up or seized. How is the fluid for quality/ clarity could be stuff in the fluid causing the pump to seize at times.


Troy Cantrell
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Build thread - '66 CJ6 :
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15075

 

[tarry99]

Morning guys,
I have been Flat Towing my 1981 CJ7 Laredo behind my Motorhome lately. Not sure if this is why but the Mounting Bolts for the Power Steering Pump have broken, Any ideas as to a cause?

The Bolts appear to have been Grade 8 Bolts and I have replaced each with Grade 8. Strange thing that it happens after being Flat Towed though.

Thanks in advance.

I would run that by someone like a power steering re-builder..........
Most steering gears when not powered return or act like a manual steering gear ( like if your motor stalled).......
There is a ported sliding piston in the housing that move's up and down as a signal is received from your steering wheel when hydraulic pressure from your pump is applied...............so if there was a cold fluid transfer back and forth from the gear to your pump during the towing event could that have a negative effect on the pump and its mounting?........ Maybe? I have never seen that issue.........but fluid being moved back and forth with the tires under load acting as the pressure source might be possible?............Was the weather cold?.............Run that by someone that is into steering gears and understands the fluid path and dynamics.

 

[hagar]

I've never seen or heard of this happening before.
And...I would have no idea why this happens only when towing.
Interesting problem.

 

[Sasquach]

Do you know the condition of the mounting hardware prior to towing? My guess without further info is they have been loosening up from normal driving(which is normal on a stock bracket) all along and finally gave up after being towed. There is some gear box resistance when forces are in reverse (wheels turning trying to follow the tow vehicle) and if the bolts have loosened and allow play bolts will break.

 

[81laredo]

Thanks for all of the great thoughts guys!
The Bolts were original and have now been changed out with new Grade 8 (I will also replace the one that was 1st replaced as a precaution since it was in place when the last one broke).
Interesting thought about the Fluid Temp but I was in Yuma when last starting towing so it wasn't all that cold but I will be more careful about his in the future.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

You do remember to unlock the steering wheel, 'rite'?
I have flat-towed my CJ7 , all over the western USA in the last 28+ years.
I strongly urge you to disconnect the rear DS at the diff and just hang the shaft up. D/300 t'case has a well earned rep. for cook'n the rear out put bearing when towed to the AMC, OEM specs.
Just drop the rear DS, put tranny in "N"(don't lock hubs)and unlock the steering wheel.
Have no clue why you pop'n the pump bolts.
LG

 

[81laredo]

My Steering Doesn't lock anymore because I removed the Locking Pin so that is not an issue. This was done to make it easier to Tow when I replaced the Ignition and Turn Signal Switch.
As far as removing the Drive Shaft that will not happen. I am not going to crawl under the Jeep before and after I Tow, just too much of a hassle and I am not young enough anymore. I do however make sure that I stop every couple of hours to let the dogs "walk" and stretch my legs. When I stop I make sure that I run the Engine and Lubricate the Transmission per the Owner's Manual. I am looking for the Warn Hubs for the rear axle but haven't been able to put my hands on one yet. I do however have a great Car Trailer but even that presents a hassle when traveling in and out of RV Parks.

I probably should have stated that this is a California Jeep so it has the Serpentine Belt. I have replaced the Idlers when working out other issues. This CJ has been very dependable but just thought I would ask advice before just replacing to see what happens.

Anyway thanks for the advice.