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Loose Steering

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Garrett Pirkey, Apr 13, 2021.

  1. Apr 13, 2021
    Garrett Pirkey

    Garrett Pirkey Member

    East texas
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2020
    Messages:
    50
    I was able to drive the Jeep this last weekend, first time at speeds higher than of 10 mph. The steering was very loose, drifting a lot and I would slowly correct trying not to over correct.

    looking under the Jeep there’s not a whole
    Lot there, see the pictures below.

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/h1K6CPJNQnGM1SRq5

    What can be done to help correct the loose steering?
     
  2. Apr 13, 2021
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,137
    Tie rods, ball joints, steering gear, steering shaft joints, and caster are things to look at.
     
  3. Apr 13, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Have someone rock the wheel back and forth while you lay under it and check for play.

    Just looking at your pictures, it looks like you have a later steering box mount. They were notorious for loosening and cracking. Also, the bell-style joint on the steering shaft is probably a source of play.

    Like @73 cj5 said, check your caster. It looks like your front pinion is pointing up at a sharp angle. That shouldn’t appear to be that high. You should have 5°-7° positive caster at the wheels. Throw an angle finder on a flat surface of a ball joint to see.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2021
  4. Apr 13, 2021
    Garrett Pirkey

    Garrett Pirkey Member

    East texas
    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2020
    Messages:
    50
    . Also, the bell-style joint on the steering shaft is probably a source of play.

    What would the fix be?
     
  5. Apr 13, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    A permanent fix would be a standard u-joint, but IMO, that’s pretty far down the list of things to check. Caster issues or steering box mount play will cause the wander, where a sloppy joint in the shaft will only make it a little harder to correct the wander. Like a bandaid on an axe wound.
     
  6. Apr 13, 2021
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2007
    Messages:
    1,103
    Actually, the caster should be 5°-7° POSITIVE at the wheels. I believe ITLKSEZ mistakenly said negative.
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  7. Apr 13, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    My bad. I fixed my post.
     
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