Something You Don't See Every Day

The shaft on the worm gear for my steering box is bent. The worm itself looks good so I'll straighten it in the vice.

Sheesh.....how did that happen?

 

I think I'd be looking at a replacement....

 

Do you think there is a safety issue? Its a slight bend about midway up the shaft but when you spin it around you can definitely see it.

 

If you can straighten it, you will be fine. Most likely, it was bent by some previous owner trying to pull the tub off, or someone trying to use the column as a lifting point for a transmission change.
Just make sure you get it straight, especially the worm at the bottom.
-Donny

 

Tough one. The obvious best (cost no object) solution is a NOS replacement from a safety and quality standpoint. However, the only stress or torsion on that shaft beyond the worm is what your arms can generate on the steering wheel. I agree with Donny, if you can carefully straighten it in a vice or press with no signs of cracking or fatigue, you should be fine. And if you can somehow twist it off with your sheer arm strength, we shall all bow before you and forevermore call you "Sir".

 

If you can avoid the potentially disastrous quality of some new parts.

Me, I'd straighten it. But I'm that way.

 

I bent one of them once when I was 17. I was flying through the woods in a parts jeep with no brakes or seat belts and hit a tree when I couldn't make a turn. I taco'd the column and broke 4 ribs on the steering wheel. It pushed the wheel up and broke the bottom of the windshield.

We bent it back with a come-a-long. It still had a wobble, but it never broke.

I'd probably find a replacement if I were you. Without knowing the history of the bend, it could have been way worse when some idiot "got it close enough" with a come-a-long. Bending it all the way straight could just weaken it further.

 

Worst case scenario, who might be a source for a NOS worm gear?

 

Peter Debella at Debellas Jeep Parts lists one for $85. Might want to call and make sure you get the right one if you go that route.

Willys Civilian Jeep CJ3B CJ5 - Steering - Peter DeBella Jeep Parts www.debellajeepparts.com

 

A quick update here, On close inspection there were a number bends in the shaft. The deal breaker was the one right up next to the worm itself. I didn't like the idea of trying to heat it at that junction or over stress it by bending it cold so a call to Pete at Debellas has a NOS worm on the way. My bad for not spotting the bends on the initial tear down but it was a part I never expected to be bent only the grooves worn. If this Jeep could only talk!

 

The original was for the V6, what is in there now is out of an M38A1 which is about the same. I am not sure about the worm gear but the sector shaft is different. I suppose if the sector pins had the same spacing then the same worm could work for both. I'm still on the steep side of the learning curve with this so someone of more knowledge could better answer your question. Truth is because there is some question as to the origin of the box I have I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the right one shows up. Mr. DeBella seemed very knowledgeable so I think I have a pretty good shot at it.