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What Power Steering Do I Have?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by JustJeff, Mar 10, 2023.

  1. Mar 10, 2023
    JustJeff

    JustJeff New Member

    Colorado
    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2021
    Messages:
    25
    Hey all,

    I've got a 73 with a 258 that had power steering put on it before I got it. The gear box is shot. I while holding the pitman arm, someone can turn the wheel almost a 1/3 turn before the pitman arm moves. I need a new gearbox for it, but I have no idea what to replace it with. I'm hoping someone on here has the same setup and can steer (ha, get it!!) me in the right direction. I've included a couple of pics.

    I'll hopefully be back in the next month or so with a few more questions. After reading some reports on here I pulled the trigger on the Rocky Road YJ conversion and I'm sure I'm going to run into a few things that I may need help on with that!

    Thanks cjpsgb1.jpg cjpsgb2.jpeg cjpsgb3.jpg
     
  2. Mar 10, 2023
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    Saginaw steering gear just like came from the factory. There are variations of the gear, just make sure it has the number of turns lock to lock you want (3 1/2 or 4 turns are pretty good) and uses the same type of hydraulic fittings you have now. There are two styles, compression fittings which are earlier and o-ring style (metric) which are later.
     
    Dwins1 likes this.
  3. Mar 10, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Tucson, AZ
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2006
    Messages:
    1,430
    Turns lock to lock is one thing. The degrees of pitman arm travel to reach lock to lock is another. The steering box may have built in limits of travel. I know there are custom boxes that can
    build them to your specs and they ask for the number of degrees you require.
    I used a Cardone Part # 27-6537 @ 4.1 turns. From center, it will hit the stop bolts with one turn of the wheel. That leaves at least one more turn of travel.The belt and pump sound let
    you know. Pushed hard I could probably bend the tie rod. To do it again I would use the Cardone Part # 27-7521 with 3.0 to 3.3 turns. I do not know the number of degrees that the
    shaft turns to hit the locks. It is designed for the intermediate style jeep though. Reasonably priced at advanceautoparts. It would be nice to compare these units side by side.
     
    Dwins1 likes this.
  4. Mar 10, 2023
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    If you are using the belt and pump noise to let you know you are turning too far you are already causing damage to both. If you have the ability to possibly bend the drag link, your box has too much travel or your Pitman arm is too long. Not only are you stressing the drag link, box, and tie rod ends, but also the steering knuckle arm on the passenger side. The travel, ratio, etc. needs to be at least reasonably matched.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  5. Mar 11, 2023
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,460
    That appears to me to be the stock box also. You should be able just to order the stock replacement. While I agree with Nick that the system components need to be matched as well as possible, there aren't too many PS systems around that you will not be hearing the bypass on when held to the stops, whatever those stops may turn out to be. Usually not a problem if you use that signal to "back off". Even my POS JK does that.

    Have to ask if you have hit some good trails and how those front shackles work. I'm not really a fan of them.
     
    OzFin, Ol Fogie and vtxtasy like this.
  6. Mar 11, 2023
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    Duffer is referring to the revolver shackles ...do a little research. Some love them, many hate them. Do what works for you - just good to be informed about what you have.
     
  7. Mar 12, 2023
    JustJeff

    JustJeff New Member

    Colorado
    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2021
    Messages:
    25
    Thanks for all the replies!! I've ordered the new one, we'll see how the turn ratio goes!!

    I've hit A TON of trails with the thing. I inherited it about a year and a half ago and it had the revolver shackles on it. I'm not sure how I feel about them, but I don't have much to compare it to since this is the only way I've driven it. The tires on it had a date stamp of over 15yrs ago - so traction isn't great and hard to gauge how they worked. I had a 33x9 on it and just found some used 35x12.5 put those on, and now turning right the tires hit the revolver shackle. They are fine turning left, so I wonder if I just have a few things out of allignment. Either way, when I get my rocky road conversion in I'll be ditching the shackles.
     
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  8. Mar 12, 2023
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2019
    Messages:
    1,765
    When you get your conversion kit install underway we would appreciate a good write up with photos. Some of us here are considering the same modification with YJ springs. I for one am planning this setup and have done a ton of research. I have purchased all the parts for the job and hopefully can get to it soon.
     
    vtxtasy likes this.
  9. Mar 12, 2023
    AndyinTexas

    AndyinTexas Member

    central Texas
    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2023
    Messages:
    68
    If your saginaw box isn't leaking, you might try just adjusting it per factory procedure before replacing it. It can be done on the jeep but probably best to get it on the bench. The factory service manual does a good job of explaining how to it correctly.
     
  10. Mar 14, 2023
    JustJeff

    JustJeff New Member

    Colorado
    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2021
    Messages:
    25
    Didn't know that was possible. The new pump isn't arriving for over a week, so I'll see if I can do that first, thanks!!
     
  11. Mar 16, 2023
    JustJeff

    JustJeff New Member

    Colorado
    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2021
    Messages:
    25
    The adjustment was really easy to make - even while on the Jeep! You saved me a bunch of time and money, thanks so much!!
     
  12. Mar 20, 2023
    AndyinTexas

    AndyinTexas Member

    central Texas
    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2023
    Messages:
    68
    You are most welcome, but just to be sure; did you remove the steering shaft and pitman arm and adjust at both locations? There is some internet info out there that advises only to adjust the pitman shaft tension screw and that IS NOT factory procedure.
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2023
  13. Mar 20, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Apr 4, 2010
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    7,111
    http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/127039/
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  14. Mar 20, 2023
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2019
    Messages:
    1,765
    Doug, thanks for the link. I just now read thru most of it. Lots of good detailed info there. I had studied a similar write up on another jeep site a year or so back. Zilla's write up was a lot more detailed with all the photos he had. There is some post by norcal69 's common sense rebuild with a YJ spring swap also. I have yet to start my project with all the life events around here. I did go ahead and buy the old man emu springs and decided to piece all the parts from different sources to do the swap rather than buy a R R kit. We will see how it all works out. Thanks Jim
     
    colojeepguy likes this.
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