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Dry Steering Box

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Skipjack, Apr 8, 2019.

  1. Apr 8, 2019
    Skipjack

    Skipjack 1952 M38A1

    Tucson
    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2019
    Messages:
    20
    91F69EA3-4D52-4077-B3AA-FB13EB41ABBD.jpeg Against advisement I opened up my Saginaw to make sure that’s what was locking up my steering.
     
  2. Apr 8, 2019
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
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    2,754
    certainly not lubing much with whats there, but i doubt that is causing the locking up that you are experiencing. time to swap in a new unit!
     
    Skipjack likes this.
  3. Apr 8, 2019
    Skipjack

    Skipjack 1952 M38A1

    Tucson
    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2019
    Messages:
    20
    I’m yrying to figure if this is just old chunky grease or rusty oil. When I spin the steering shaft it feels like the bearings are rolling over something. Not smooth like I would expect.
     
  4. Apr 8, 2019
    Skipjack

    Skipjack 1952 M38A1

    Tucson
    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2019
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    20
    Contacted a guy in CL with a replacement. Gonna get it tonight & compare the movement. I hope my problems are not in my hubs
     
  5. Apr 8, 2019
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
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    3,784
    That problem could be anywhere between the steering column to the spindles..........that gear box has been dry for years and probably leaked / seeped out what was once in a fluid form........decades ago..
     
    Skipjack likes this.
  6. Apr 8, 2019
    Skipjack

    Skipjack 1952 M38A1

    Tucson
    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2019
    Messages:
    20
    Since I found a new steering box I will be taking the old one apart. I want to see if there are needle bearing parts or anything else that could have made that steering box act like it was frozen.
     
  7. Apr 8, 2019
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
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    3,784
    No needle bearings...........recirculating ball bearings in the sector shaft....is what cuts down the force.......standard shaft bearings at each end........don't try and re-invent the wheel.......Life is to short!
     
    Skipjack likes this.
  8. Apr 8, 2019
    Skipjack

    Skipjack 1952 M38A1

    Tucson
    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2019
    Messages:
    20
  9. Apr 8, 2019
    Skipjack

    Skipjack 1952 M38A1

    Tucson
    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2019
    Messages:
    20
    The PO welded the steering to the Saginaw. I will not be doing that. I will need to fabricate a new shaft.
     
    Bowbender likes this.
  10. Apr 9, 2019
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Messages:
    942
    Make sure you get a "Chevy" style if you're swapping out a "Chevy" style sag. That pitman is facing the Ford direction, like mine.
     
  11. Apr 12, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    Saginaw manual steering gears are filled with grease. Look at a TSM from the '70s - free to read and download here: Jeep® Parts Manuals online
     
    Skipjack likes this.
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