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Steering question

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by OlWillys, Jul 12, 2004.

  1. OlWillys

    OlWillys New Member

    Well guys it's been a while but the Jeep is coming along. She's all in one piece, running and registered, but I'm having a bit of problems with steering slop.

    I've beefed up the frame area around the box because the area was flexing a bit and allowing the box to move. I've also adjusted up the nut and screw on the side of the steering box and that helped a bit, but I still have slop in the steering wheel coming from the 90 degree arm located at the end of the long arm that runs from the steering box to this arm that connects to the tie rods.


    The arm that I'm referring to rotates on a pin or bolt and it seems that either the pin or the arm itself where it slides on is worn out and sloppy.

    Are there bearings or a bushing that fits in there? Can the pin itself be replaced?

    I hope you can figure out what the Heck I'm talking about. Thanks--Rob
     
    OlWillys, Jul 12, 2004
    #1
  2. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Rob-

    The 90* dohicky you are referring to is the bellcrank. I have yet to see an old Jeep that wouldn't benefit from having the bellcrank pivot rebuilt. While you are at it, get a rebuild kit for the drag link, that is the long rod that runs from the pitman arm on the steering box up to the bellcrank. The rebuild kits are cheap, and available from KRAGE, WALCK's, etc.

    The fun part is getting the old pivot pin out of the frame. There is a wedging pin that drives in from the side to hold the pivot pin in place; It will only drive out in one direction since it is tapered. The Factory Service Manual will show you how.

    (You DO have a FSM, right? ;) )

    After the wedging pin is out, you will likely have to heat the frame bracket some with a propane torch, and then you can drive the old pin out from top to bottom. I used a ball-pein hammer with the ball-pein end toward the pin while I wailed on the other end of the hammer with a 5-lb hammer to break it loose. Then I used a large drift to drive it all the way out.

    The new kit had the pins, bearings and instructions and it took call the slop out of the system. Also look at athe steering sector shaft where it comes out of the steering box near the pitman arm. If it slops up and down excessively when you rock the wheel back and forth, You should consider re-bushing the steering box too.

    Good Luck! :beer:
     
    w3srl, Jul 13, 2004
    #2
  3. OlWillys

    OlWillys New Member

    Thanks for the quick response. I'll pick up a book and a kit for it asap--Rob
     
    OlWillys, Jul 13, 2004
    #3
  4. 66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    mine just fell out when i took out the key!

    replacing the bushings makes a BIG difference in steering.
     
    66cj5, Jul 13, 2004
    #4
  5. OlWillys

    OlWillys New Member

    I picked the kit up today a whopping $26.

    They didn't have a manual in stock so I'll probably be asking questions.... :D :D
     
    OlWillys, Jul 13, 2004
    #5
  6. 66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    got the haynes manual at FLAPS. About 10 bones.
     
    66cj5, Jul 14, 2004
    #6
  7. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    FWIW - I would recommend sticking that 10 bones towards a reprint of the factory service manual, available online from:

    http://www.thejeep.com

    Much better resource, IMHO. Don't have to wade through all the AMC stufff.
     
    Boyink, Jul 14, 2004
    #7
  8. duke54

    duke54 Member

    Oh and when your done with all that stuff i would considder a steering stableizer it's all most a must :shock:
     
    duke54, Jul 14, 2004
    #8
  9. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    YMMV, but after I rebuild the steering on Dutch I put it back together w/o the stabilizer and found it to be fine.

    Still have it for sale, $20 anyone? Anyone?.....
     
    Boyink, Jul 14, 2004
    #9