Steering Play

Skavdog · 08-26-2006, 08:14 PM

I am getting some serious "play" in my steering. Can anyone offer up some ideas on how to get tighten it up a bit and if we're talking parts, what could I expect to be spending on this? Thanks, Skavdog

CJ Fanatic · 08-26-2006, 09:06 PM

I would start by having someone turn the steering wheel left to right, just through the range of play, as you watch the steering shaft between the column and steering box. If your slack is in the joints on the shaft, replace it. I bought a flaming river shaft for mine. It's awesome. If things look O.K. there, proceed to watch the shaft in relation to movement of the pitman arm. If there is slack present there, use the adjustment nut on top of the steering box to correct it if possible. Refer to a manual for this. If that looks O.K. check for wear on tie rod ends and movement of the steering box on the frame. These all are problem areas. If you look at my signature, I have addressed most of these areas on my CJ. Good luck.

wwhitby · 08-26-2006, 09:10 PM

Check out your body mount bushings as well. I have been getting a lot of play in my steering, and I discovered most of it was caused by the body mount bolt and bushing under the radiator having fallen out.

Warren

Skavdog · 08-27-2006, 06:50 AM

thanks for the info, will start checking all these things out. Skavdog

08-26-2006, 09:06 PM	#2
CJ Fanatic Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Martinsville, VA Posts: 145 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I would start by having someone turn the steering wheel left to right, just through the range of play, as you watch the steering shaft between the column and steering box. If your slack is in the joints on the shaft, replace it. I bought a flaming river shaft for mine. It's awesome. If things look O.K. there, proceed to watch the shaft in relation to movement of the pitman arm. If there is slack present there, use the adjustment nut on top of the steering box to correct it if possible. Refer to a manual for this. If that looks O.K. check for wear on tie rod ends and movement of the steering box on the frame. These all are problem areas. If you look at my signature, I have addressed most of these areas on my CJ. Good luck. __________________ A closed mouth gains no foot. 1977 CJ5, '75 258, Motorcraft 2150 carb, HEI dizzy, BDS 2.5" suspension, 3/4" Daystar Rock Krusher Greasable shackles, M.O.R.E. steering brace, Flaming River steering shaft, Tie rod flip, Yukon AMC20 axle kit, 1.5" Trail Sport wheel spacers, 15x10" Black Cragar soft 8s w/ 33" Yokohama Geolander MTs, Goodridge SS brake lines, Classic Tube stainless hard lines, YJ power brake with front disc upgrade (had 4 wheel drums)

08-27-2006, 06:50 AM	#4
Skavdog Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ND Posts: 7 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	thanks for the info, will start checking all these things out. Skavdog