CJ5 Steering Woes

Hello All.

I just don't know what to replace now!! I have replaced the tie rod ends. I have replaced the steering shaft which included two new u-joints. I have had the front end aligned. Oh, the problem.

I have a 1975 CJ5. When I bought it, the springs were weak and so I replaced them. Just happened to be a 3" Black Diamond Lift kit. After that, turning corners at slow speeds I did not feel like the jeep was going to turn over . However, at 45 or 50 it seemed that it had a mind of it's own and wandered all over the road.

So I thought because I had small tires that I should get bigger ones (and besides, the jeep wouldn't look so strance with a lift and no tires to match). So I put on 33 inch tires. Now it LOOKS really great! But it still wanders and just feels unsafe at 45 or 50. Slow speeds it is GREAT. We'll go on the back roads, be gone 5 or 6 hours and only go about 40 miles!! Anyway . . . .

But with the price of diesel I would like to drive the jeep to work and leave the truck sitting home. It's only about 16 miles but it is a white knucle trip!

I have not replaced the steering gear (rebuild kit?) and I have not replaced the bearings at the top of the shaft.

Thoughts please? :? I really would like to drive the CJ a lot more!

Thanks,

Bill
'75 CJ5, '45 MB and a '41 Slat Grill MB

 

I would check your caster. My 72 was uncontrollable until I put 3 degree shims in it. Now I can cruise at 70 and feel in control.

 

How about the bell union which connects the steering shaft to the steering box? Mine had about 25° of play in it.

I bouught the borgeson steering shaft. 99% of problems solved!

 

I'd suggest you put your Jeep up on jack stands or block so that the weight is still on the springs but the wheels will turn. Best to keep it level if you can - block it up front and rear. Get a friend who can sit in the drivers seat and slowly turn the wheel back and forth. Start at the steering shaft and work your way down to locate where the looseness is. Bell union and steering box are both likely ... power or manual steering?

 

Also check ball joints, wheel bearings, and axle u-bolts for looseness. Any play here will cause similar issues. I definitely agree with checking caster. Probably off due to the lift. Nickmil.

 

Also check around the spring hangers and steering box for cracks in the frame. Do this while you've got a helper and the front wheels are off the ground. You may not see them otherwise.

Another vote for caster, too.

 

You might want to find an alternate source for steel shims, like Rubicon Express. 4Crawler keeps pushing back their re-opening date. They have been doing this since early January.

 

You've been recommending them for so long, I guess old habits die hard.

BTW, Welcome. Pics?

 

I would also check to see how much play is in the steering gear.
How much do you have to turn the steering wheel before you get a reaction from the box? If this is the issue there is a way to adjust the play in the box. check the service manual.

 

Thank you all.

It is manual steering. The alignment was done after replacing all of the steering stuff mentioned. Shouldn't the shop have told me if the camber was out of specs? (Les Schwab did the alignment)

The Wheel bearings are new too. There is only a small amount of play in the steering wheel before the tires turn. I was actually hoping that no one would mention Ball Joints - it was in the back of my mind - just didn't really want to dig into it that far. I'll also check the other u-joints as well.

Again - Thanks everyone.

Bill

 

My 75 had a lot of wondering also. The frame was cracked and with someone turning the wheel you could see the whole steering box move. Welded it up and big improvement, but still a few more things to check as mentioned above.

 

Just an update. I found a crack in the frame behind the spring shackle at the back of the left front spring. :evil:

More after that gets fixed.

Thanks everyone.

Bill

 

Thats not a big deal i fixed mine in an few hours. Most of that time was taken up grinding a pach to fit. good luck

 

would add a brace to prevent cracking again. boxing the frame would also help.

 

Once you have replaced EVERY moving part in the steering system on your 30 year young Jeep (Steering shaft u-joints, tie rod ends, drag link, tightened steering box, BALL JOINTS, spring bushings, add a steeing stabilizer, checked wheel bearings, aligned it, and everything is tight) then start adding caster. I went through mine and had dramatic improvements at each step. but I wasn't comfortable on the interstate until I had the caster correct.

 

Oops, When I saw you posted in intemediates, I thought you had a D30....same principals still apply, but don't worry about the ball joints. Just do whatever voodoo you closed knuckle guys do. (kingpins, preloads, etc...)

 

I've had the same problem with my 75 CJ5. It is almost stock with 1" superlift springs and 30X9.5X15 Goodyear MTR's. It is all over the road. I haven't tried anything yet. What is the first place to start? The steering linkage seems tight. What are and where do these 3deg shims go?