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CJ manual steering box

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by sac13, Jan 30, 2008.

  1. Jan 30, 2008
    sac13

    sac13 Come oooonnnnn summer....

    Shelby Township, MI
    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2006
    Messages:
    321
    My steering box is VERY sloppy. I know there are rebuild kits for around $75. Is it worth it or should I just buy a new one for $210? Thanks!
     
  2. Jan 30, 2008
    Bob75CJ

    Bob75CJ Member

    Southgate, Mi
    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2007
    Messages:
    206
    Have you tried to adjust it yet?
     
  3. Jan 30, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    I have adjusted Ford manual steering boxes with a flex handle and a fish scale - easy. Any Jeep service manual from '72 on will have instructions for adjusting the manual Saginaw boxes. The instructions will specify an inch-pound torque wrench and some Jeep special tools, but you can cobble up a way to do it. The fish scale works fine in place of the torque wrench.
     
  4. Jan 30, 2008
    sac13

    sac13 Come oooonnnnn summer....

    Shelby Township, MI
    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2006
    Messages:
    321
    Ok. I'm ebarrassed to admit I dropped it off to a local mechanic who works out of his garage. My front end 'sloppiness' is getting out of hand (both steering and just plain ole handling). He works very cheap and is VERY capable (ok, that was my disclaimer). I will call him tomorrow and ask him if he tried to adjust it. I have a copy of the FSM to share with him. My guess is he has tried to no avail. But I will check.

    What's you opinion on the steering box question if it is bad? Can you replace the worm gear inside or does the who box need to come out? Not that expensive of a part, so I'm leaning towards a new box.

    Also, I know you guys know way more than me so I hate to question anything, but I've heard adjusting the steering box is just a bandaid. If it's bad, it's bad and all your doing by adjusting it is rotating the worm gear so that the portion that's worn isn't making contact. It's only a short term fix. Again, please dispute this info if you don't agree - only something I heard and read awhile back during a steering slopiness discussion.

    Thanks as usual....
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2008
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