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Steering

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Terry Rogers, Jan 19, 2019.

  1. Jan 19, 2019
    Terry Rogers

    Terry Rogers New Member

    Deadwood, South...
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    13
    My steering is aweful as far as how many times you have to turn steering wheel to turn, seems like it takes 20 turns to be full locked and that is dangerous in certain situations, do they make a quik ration steering box to eliminate this issue?
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  2. Jan 19, 2019
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    Yes.............several.........but on a short wheelbase CJ quick steering may not be what you want at Freeway speeds............a variable ratio gear box seems to be the best solution...........Saginaw is what I like...........what type of gear box do you have?

    Also.......you might just want to have someone sit in the seat and then slowly turn the wheel Left to Right while another person is under the Jeep and watching all the motion from the steering column all the way to the wheels...........lots of parts along the way that can be loose or worn out! Check it out!
     
  3. Jan 19, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    If it's manual steering, you need the extra leverage provided by all those turns.

    JMO - I think you are mistaken to think the slow steering in itself will be dangerous. I don't see how the ratio negatively impacts safety. Maintain an adequate following distance and stay in your lane. As Tarry mentions, a quick ratio will get you into trouble at freeway speeds ... you should not make quick maneuvers at highway speed. The relatively crude live-axle suspension loads up, gets out of balance and won't react in the way you expect. These are not sports cars. The slow manual steering is fine on the highway and around town when driven sensibly, if there is nothing wrong with the steering or the suspension. Perhaps you are mistaking messed up steering geometry (no caster?) for slow response, or the steering is so worn that it has lots of slop.
     
  4. Jan 20, 2019
    Terry Rogers

    Terry Rogers New Member

    Deadwood, South...
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    13
    It is power steering and i have replaced all steering components that was needed, main issue was the shaft, shackles were loose but still slow response on steering wheel. Not sure which steering box i have, i have been around and owned Jeeps all my life and steering has never been like this one
     
  5. Jan 20, 2019
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    Did you count the turns lock to lock to get a idea of about how slow it is.On my rig with a '70 monte Carlo variable ratio and a stock jeep pitman arm its 2 turns even L to L. I would prefer a bit slower but its OK just have to pay attention at speed. I have a dana 27 w/two hole knuckle so not as much turning radius as a dana 30 . mike
     
  6. Jan 20, 2019
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    Take a few pictures..........Some Saginaw gear boxes can be re-valved ( change Piston ) to correct a ratio.
     
  7. Jan 20, 2019
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
    Messages:
    1,054
    Sounds like you have the 4.25 turn steering gear i used to have. There are a few varieties, but as Tarry said that variable ratio gear may be the ticket. I had one built for my 75 a few years ago, 3.25 turns lock to lock if i recall. It's a happy medium between the 4.25 turn and the 2.5 turn saginaw gears that can get interesting/twitchy at freeway speeds.
     
    Terry Rogers and tarry99 like this.
  8. Jan 22, 2019
    Terry Rogers

    Terry Rogers New Member

    Deadwood, South...
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2018
    Messages:
    13
    To be honest I do not know which box I have, I just purchased this jeep and really haven't had a chance to fully inspect it besides the obvious steering issues with a completely worn out shaft. Right now my son Jeep is in garage being worked on so the CJ hasn't made the move to garage yet, hopefully in next couple weeks it will and I will let ya'll know. Thanks for all the info and input
     
  9. Jan 22, 2019
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Oct 29, 2012
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    3,784
    Take a few pictures and post them......of the box and related parts around it.
     
  10. Sep 1, 2019
    billm006

    billm006 Member

    Honeye Falls, NY
    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2019
    Messages:
    73
    Where can you get the variable ratio gears. That sounds like the solution to spinning steering wheel woes.
     
  11. Sep 2, 2019
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    You can have an existing series 800 gear box built that way by a competent steering guy..........or there are plenty of articles on the net that describes which cars came equipped with different ratio gear boxes.........or buy a new remanufactured one from the many rebuilders out there.
     
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