1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Opinions on Steering

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by trailcrawler, Oct 10, 2006.

  1. Oct 10, 2006
    trailcrawler

    trailcrawler Central Ohio Cj'er

    Columbus Ohio
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2004
    Messages:
    86
    Took my CJ in to the alignment shop because I was having a hell of a time keeping in between the ditches. They told me that the front of the frame has been cut off and replaced. The steering box is not bolted up to the frame and the nuts that are supposed to be welded in there are not there so the box is just basically hanging. So when I turn the wheel I am turning the box not the tires. So I am wondering do I try and take the box off and weld new nuts up in the frame and try to do it that way or do I just weld the box right to the frame? They said I could do that but then I would have to do some cutting if I ever needed to replace the box. What do you think I should do? They told me as it sits they wouldn't drive it down the road.:mad:The PO did a real number on this one.
     
    trailcrawler, Oct 10, 2006
    #1
  2. Oct 10, 2006
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,525
    got a pic or two of the current set-up ?
    that would help us to help you
    ideally, I would want the box to bolt up, not welded
    but a plate welded to the frame would make it stronger
     
    jpflat2a, Oct 10, 2006
    #2
  3. Oct 10, 2006
    trailcrawler

    trailcrawler Central Ohio Cj'er

    Columbus Ohio
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2004
    Messages:
    86
    I can get some pics later tonight. Right now it is at the shop.
     
    trailcrawler, Oct 10, 2006
    #3
  4. Oct 10, 2006
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    I'm with Jim...Pics will help us give you suggestions. Welding the box to the frame is not a good idea. The '75 was designed for Saginaw steering and has a box bracket that mounts to the frame... so it shouldn't be all that difficult to get this straightened out... certainly not as difficult as swapping Saginaw into a pre-72 CJ...
    ...get us a bunch of pics from different angles so we can see whats going on. Also get pics of where they say the frame was cut off and replaced...

    One thing you can start thinking about... once the box gets reattached where it should be, a steering box brace may be a good idea for you.
    Here's one from MORE, other places like Rusty's has them as well, or you can get the clamp and fab your own tube:
    http://www.mountainoffroad.com/catalog/SteerBrace/brace.htm
    I've also heard you can use a connecting rod from a SBC, to clamp to the box, and build a tube from that. :)
     
    lynn, Oct 10, 2006
    #4
  5. Oct 10, 2006
    trailcrawler

    trailcrawler Central Ohio Cj'er

    Columbus Ohio
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2004
    Messages:
    86
    Just got back from the shop and looked at it. My fault for not looking it over good but, there is only 1 of the 3 bolts underneath the frame and the one in there is rusted badly and has about a half inch of play in it. I watched as he turned the steering wheel and the box moved back and forth alot before the tires started moving at all. I am going to bolt it all back up and put on one of those steering braces and hopefully that will straighten it out. I still will try and get some pics together but probably won't load them up until later tonight or first thing tomorrow.
     
    trailcrawler, Oct 10, 2006
    #5
  6. Oct 11, 2006
    trailcrawler

    trailcrawler Central Ohio Cj'er

    Columbus Ohio
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2004
    Messages:
    86
    Got some grade 8 bolts and ended up ordering a heavy duty steering box bracket from 4wheelparts. I haven't got pics but I will hopefully tonight.
     
    trailcrawler, Oct 11, 2006
    #6
  7. Oct 18, 2006
    trailcrawler

    trailcrawler Central Ohio Cj'er

    Columbus Ohio
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2004
    Messages:
    86
    Sorry never got around to getting any pics up but here is the update. I got the box all tightened up and took it back to the shop. The toe in was way off and the caster was way off(supposed to be around 5 or 6 degrees and mine was at -1). They are puting the shims in for me and doing the adjustments on the toe in. They said the camber was fine. They are replacing the front u-bolts doing the alignment and doing the shims for right at $200.00 which I think is a damn good price. I just did the rear u-bolts myself two weekends ago and it wasn't bad but the bolts were so old that they all ended up breaking off so the time and materials I would have in it would be real close to the price they are doing it for. I go to pick it up tomorrow so I will let ya all know how it handles compared to before.
     
    trailcrawler, Oct 18, 2006
    #7
New Posts