Squirrely Steering

I drove around in the CJ5 today (after the motor mounts were replaced, and the DMV gave me plates). Pretty fun driving it. But she sure did seem to wander the road alot.

To be honest I haven't really driven a "newer" CJ around. The 59 CJ5 had fairly "stiff" steering, it took alot to turn. But that could have been from the 33x12.50s on it too.

The 1980 CJ5 seems to have a gap in the response time when turning but then go all for that direction. Its kind of weird. It feels like there is slop in the steering... I don't know if that is the correct description.

BTW. New pics:

 

I had the same problem on my '79 CJ-7. My solution was a new steering box; that cured the issue to a point - but its steering was never very "accurate". I came to accept it as part of driving that Jeep. The above recommendation is a good one; might also have a look at those tie rods, joints, etc.

 

Reach up behind the box where the shaft goes in. See how much you can turn it side to side. This is where ALL my slop is. And I have some serious slop.

 

I have an 80 CJ-5 also and the steering was a bit light and tended to wander on the highway from day 1. A few years ago I had the spring rearced and it made matters worse. I took it to an alignment shop and come to find out, there was only 2 degrees of caster. I put in 4 degree wedges to increase the caster and it tracks nicely now.

 

I can grab the steering shaft and move it from side to side without the steering wheel and steering box shaft moving. It feels like the most movement is at the top of the shaft. But there is also slop at the bottom inside the rubber "boot".

Close Up:




Would these parts help fix the problem? Or is it natural to have "slop" in these joints?

Rubber Boot $10.99 Quadratec Part No: 52449.0951
http://www.quadratec.com/products/52449 0951.htm


COUPLING KIT- STEERING SHAFT $36.99 Quadratec Part No: 56113.51
http://www.quadratec.com/products/56113_51.htm


BEARING, STEERING SHAFT, LOWER $12.99 Quadratec Part No: 56113.52
http://www.quadratec.com/products/56113_52.htm

RETAINER-BEARING-STEER SHAFT $4.99 Quadratec Part No: 56113.55
http://www.quadratec.com/products/56113_55.htm





I wonder if an alignment check is a good idea for me too?

 

They both can contribute a lot of play at the wheel. Before you order, check your tierod ends. Cheap to replace if you have slop there too. Also turn the input shaft of your gear box and see if the pitman turns with it. Could be slop in the gear box.

 

All I did was tug on the tie rods and they seemed pretty tight. Is there another way to check them? How should I check the steering box? Grab the shaft with a pair of pliers and twist?

 

Have someone slowly move the steering wheel side to side while your looking under the front bumper. You'll see the tierod move slightly before the wheel does if there is any problem. As far as the gear box, you can check it buy reaching under and grabbing the shaft right where it goes into the box, then trying to rotate it side to side. See how much it will rotate before the wheels kick (start to move). That will show any slop in the box.

 

Before you go buying stuff do a long hard search for road wander and youll be amazed. Seems nearly 40% of new old jeep owners go through this. I am attempting to correct mine now by correcting the castor angle (removing the shackle lift).

I guess what I am saying is that there is a lot that can cause this, so make sure you look at everything before you start throwing money at it.

B

 

Jack up the front end and also check your wheel bearings... I replaced those two days ago and that made a big difference. Also, a good greasing seemed to help my tie rod ends.