finished body lift, now its hard to steer

**ritjobbie** · 01-30-2009, 01:36 PM

I just finished a 1.25" JKS BL today. Now it is harder to turn the steering wheel. It's not like the manual steering on my old Toyota, but pretty close. The slip-joint on the steering shaft looks a little cruddy, so I sprayed some PB on it for S&G. The little u-joints in the steering shaft seem to be at conservative angles compared to other BL'ed Jeeps I've seen.

The PS pump isn't squealing and I don't see any PS leaks.

Anything quick and easy I can check before I start hitting things with a BFH?

Thanks!

idaholtby · 01-30-2009, 02:04 PM

I know that on 2" BLs you usually have to remove one of the clips in the slip joint on the steering shaft to allow the slip joint to extend further to accommodate the extra length due to the lift. It is either that and/or your slip joint could be froze up. I actually had to temporarily weld two pieces of steel on either side (one to rest on and the other to beat on) and used a sledge hammer to break it free. Then ground off the welds to remove the attached steel.

**ritjobbie** · 01-30-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idaholtby

I know that on 2" BLs you usually have to remove one of the clips in the slip joint on the steering shaft to allow the slip joint to extend further to accommodate the extra length due to the lift. It is either that and/or your slip joint could be froze up. I actually had to temporarily weld two pieces of steel on either side (one to rest on and the other to beat on) and used a sledge hammer to break it free. Then ground off the welds to remove the attached steel.

Like I said, my slip joint does look kinda' crappy...

I drove it around the block just a few minutes ago. If I'm turning and I let go of the wheel, the wheel doesn't straighten out. The tension in the wheel is almost definitely in the steering column, not the PS pump/gear.

I'll give the slip-joint a good once over. Thanks!

**JeeperDon** · 01-30-2009, 05:30 PM

The slip joints only have to slip in an accident. They stay fixed in day to day use, which means they crud up rock solid over the years. Thats one of my pet 'to do soon' projects, buying a nice replacement (and a junk yard Durango gear box).

Spray it with PB Blaster, wait an hour, then tap it with a hammer. It's already under tension, so it may pop out a bit.

**YJames90** · 01-30-2009, 05:42 PM

I had the same problem. I loosened up the clamp where the steering column meets up with the shaft on the splines section. I then slid the column off the shaft just a hair with enough to free up the steering but also enough so the two parts are still safely secures

**JeeperDon** · 01-30-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesx2

I loosened up the clamp where the steering column meets up with the shaft...then slid the column off the shaft just a hair

That may work, obviously did for you, but those clamps for the column and for the box input have a grove in them for the clamping bolt. Those groves keeps the u-joints position on the spline shafts mostly fixed, so your technique may not work for everyone.

**abbottg** · 01-30-2009, 08:55 PM

You may also want to take a look at the PS lines, esp the two steel sections going into and out of the gear. They are tight by the L frame rail under the rad support and can get pinched. A restricted line will negatively affect the assist your PS pump can give it and make it feel more like manual steering.

**ritjobbie** · 01-30-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abbottg

You may also want to take a look at the PS lines, esp the two steel sections going into and out of the gear. They are tight by the L frame rail under the rad support and can get pinched. A restricted line will negatively affect the assist your PS pump can give it and make it feel more like manual steering.

I could totally see that happening, but mine appears to be related to the slip-joint. My diagnosis: the slip joint didn't move at all when I did the BL and now the shaft is pushing HARD toward the firewall from the PS gear. The pressure is creating friction between in the steering column (I can hear things rubbing that don't normally rub) and it makes it super hard to turn the wheel.

I'll take pics tomorrow and post back. Everyone likes pics.

**JeeperDon** · 01-31-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ritjobbie

I'll take pics tomorrow and post back. Everyone likes pics.

You know what it is, know a few ways to fix it, why don't you just fix it rather than taking photos. We all know what a steering shaft looks like.