Another Saginaw question

I know there has been a lot of discussion in the past about the Saginaw conversion for the CJ5 Dauntless V6 in the past threads but I have a more specific question about the steering linkages. I bought a 67 CJ5 2 years ago that someone had already done a 3 bolt manual Saginaw conversion. After all this time my son and I are finally getting this frame up restoration/education process complete but I note that the steering linkage is stressed too much where the rod end attaches on the driver's right side due to the geometry. It appears to have too much of an angel forward to the pitman arm. Not much is written about what others have done with respect to the steering linkages/pitman arm and I am interested in the thoughts and help from others that have been through this. Thanks.

 

I'm not exactly sure that I understand the question. Any way to get a picture for us, or to draw out a diagram.

Not to split hairs or anything - and just to make sure you get the help you need if you go to a local 4x4 shop or parts store:

Steering Linkage = the shaft that attaches the steering column to the Saginaw box
Tie Rod = Steel tube w/ tie rod ends running from one knuckle to the other
Drag Link = Steel tube runing from pitman arm to passenger side knuckle.

Edit: Welcome to the board. Be sure to fill out your profile so we know where you are. There might be a member just down the street from you.

 

Thanks. I am at work now but I will try to attach some pictures later when I get home. Basically I am talking about the angle the drag link makes as it passes forward from the passenger side knuckle to the pitman arm.

 

try a dropped pittman arm??


BUBBA

 

Here are the fotos. Basically the angle of the drag link forward is too much so the joint at the knuckle is maxxed out or maybe even forced a little.

 

I am not sure a dropped pitman would make much difference. In fact it may cause the drag link to hit the springs.

 

hh i see, the only thing I can come up with is making a custom link that is bent in an offset, maybe kinda $$$$ though...

BUBBA

 

That's exactly what I was thinking too, Mike... But, having moved a steering box mount once (after welding it on) - I would consider it a last resort.

Twatson: How about this... If you went to the 2-hole knuckle on the passenger side, you would eliminate your problems. The drag link would then be attached directly to the passenger knuckle (via the second hole), rather than attaching to the tie rod. This puts both tie rod ends on the same "plane", rather than having one end facing front-to-back, and the other facing up-and-down.

Kinda hard to explain, but if you think on it a bit, it might become clear. If not, we'll try to get you a picture.

 

What if you used some high mis-alignment rod ends rather than the standard TRE??

 

What I was getting at is not that the 2-hole knuckle will bring the drag link in line with the tie rod. Rather, since the tie rod ends will both be facing the same direction (vertical), they won't be stressed to their limit of movement. As it is now, the TRE that's attached to the tie rod is maxed out because it's on a horizontal axis, which is opposite of the TRE at the pitman arm.

Again - maybe I'm going a poor job of explaining my idea, but I think it'll work! I can post some "example" pictures tonight if need-be.

 

I appreciate all your thoughts. What exactly do you mean by a 2 holed knuckle. Is this some kind of after market entity or used on another Jeep. Maybe some pictures would help me understand better. Thanks.