1965 CJ5 Steering Issues

Hello,
I am new at posting on this site (I usually just read) but I have an annoying problem that maybe someone could help me out with. I have the original steering set up on my 65 tux... everything works great except for the fact that there is quite a bit of play between the bell crank kingpin and the bell crank bracket. I have replaced/rebuilt my bell crank with new bearings and kingpin... still has play in it. I am beginning to think that the hole in the bell crank bracket has began to "round out". Has ANYONE ever had a problem like this? I would love to convert to the saginaw steering set up but I don't have the money to do that right now. Any advice would be great!

Thanks,
Dennis

 

Dennis,
How much play (inches or degrees of steering wheel travel) is a lot?
I had about 90 degrees of steering wheel play because of the bellcrank. The kit I got had offshore bearings (less rollers) and stuff and I was able to find the right Timkin bearings instead. So the rebuilt bellcrank has new Timkin bearings. I was also lucky to score an NOS willys boxed pin and it was definately bigger by a few thousandths than the offshore one in the kit.
When it all went together the steering became dramatically tighter with maybe 1 inch of freeplay travel in the wheel.
The last step was to check the pitman arm. The ball was ok but the draglink needed adjustment. Overall it all worked out great especially considering how messed it was.

Be sure to follow the bellcrank pin install procedure for the '65. you have to get all the washers right on the pin and torque the pin. From memory they changed the bellcrank pin setup later (late 60's maybe?) and the adjustment was done differently. If you used the procedure for the later pin or if you got a pin in your kit for a later jeep you may have gotten mismatched stuff.
I doubt the hole in the frame bracket has enlarged. When you torque the through bolt/nut setup it should really lock that pin in place. (spend the $ on a new fine thread grade 8 nut and bolt for that important piece)

Let us know how it goes

Tom

 

I used a Crown kit (new bearings, seals, and pin)> Still have alot of slop, been advised to "shim" it. I think Tom is right, the replacement pins are undersized. I torqued mine down, and it will feel fine by hand until you turn the steering wheel. All other components are new, but you can see the bellcrank move up and down like a bobblehead doll. Translates to play in the steering wheel.

 

Hey Guys,
I would say that there is a good 30-45 degrees of play in the steering wheel (when not driving). This is the second pin/rebuild kit that I have put in it with the same results. I was thinking about shimming it but ran out of time (end of last summer) because I had to put her away for the winter. The Jeep doesn't ride or steer bad going down the road, but I'm picky and I notice it isn't right. So do you guys think it would be a good idea to try to cross reference some different bearings/bushing and a good kingpin/bolt or what? I'm open for any suggestions! Unfortunately, I won't be able to start wrenching on it until the end of April because I won't be back home until then.

Thanks for the advice!
Dennis