Dangerously stiff steering... HELP!

74' CJ5 manual steering. Just bought this brandnew gearbox , had new tires put on and a front end alignment done. Now I know of the top adjustment screw that adjusts the center drag but it discusses in the manual that there's this steering gear clearance adjustment... could this be why its too stiff. When I first picked up this new gearbox I felt the shaft as I turned it and commented how stiff it felt. Yesterday I had the jeep up at this spring shop for them to improve my suspension, put new tires on , front end alignment and check my steering. The told me my steering gearbox is defective HA!! I mean they don't even know about some adjustment that can be done to it. So anyway I hope there's something I can do cuz I doubt that I have a "defective" gearbox. It also steers a lil' too the right and thats connecting rod with that adjuster tube right? Ok here are some pictures to hopefully assist you in helping me. I'm trying to get this corrected by tomorrow for I want to take this up north for the 4th of July.

http://www.wideopenwest.com/~kpasque/steeringadjustment.JPG
(if I loosen this will it allow my steering to turn easier?)
http://www.wideopenwest.com/~kpasque/steeringtube.JPG
(is this where I turn to make my steering not pull to the right?)
http://www.wideopenwest.com/~kpasque/rearjeep.JPG

 

I say take the box back and get another. There are two adjustments on the manual saginaw - the one you're pointing at is the worm shaft bearing preload adjuster, the other is a screw w/ locknut on the top cover (backlash adjustment). You could try to adjust it yourself, but I have to vote on returning the box and getting another as these 'should' be adjusted by the manufacturer/rebuilder. Making adjustments may void the warranty. Good luck.

 

William is correct - take it back.

 

X2 on the box problem, something's not right IMO
the sleeve adjuster you point to will not correct any pulling to the right; it only turns to adjust or center the steering wheel.
pulling to the right could be a can of worms:
alignment
tire pressure
brakes too tight
wheel bearings
yadda yadda

or...the steering box I suppose

 

how was the "tightness" prior to installation of the new box?

i ask because i had a tightness issue in my steering years ago, unrelated to the front end. the column itself was cracked and would bend slightly (note: this is the tube column, not a tilt-column) which would bind the steering shaft inside the column. the crack was located just behind the dash support. i'm fairly sure it was the result of using the steering wheel as a "grab bar" to get into the driver's seat for many years. after straightening the column and welding the crack, i haven't had the problem recur. i also don't grab the wheel to get in, either. hth.

wally

 

Ok thanks guys,
Sorry to get back to ya so late but have been trying to solve this thing. I talked with the guy and got him to take the gearbox back but when I took it out it really seemed okay. So I began removing all the steering linkage, well up to the end of my steering column. My upper U-joint housing spline was pretty loose and he sold me another one of those. Also my tie rod and the tube with tie rod ends that go to my pitman arm were taken off and he sold me some new ones of those. I'll put all these things on tomorrow and let you know what I found. Gawd this is troubling... I got this long drive coming up soon and I'm sweating bullets. I don't want to have to leave this thing on the side of the road somewhere.
CH

 

Update: 7/7/2005 I installed the upper steering balljoint, new tie rod and connecting rod with their respective tie rod ends. It turns smoother without the binding but IT STILL seems too stiff to me. I had to take it to another alignment place cuz of taking off the tie rod ends etc.... I'll get it back later today, hopefully what he does helps. Oh yea... it still pulls to the right. $#^%$^&$
CH

 

Well was told its definately my front axle U-joints that need to be replaced. Guess I'll have to pay him about $500 to fix it. But this should FINALLY fix the steering issue. Tried everything else, I appreciate everyone's input.
CH

 

WOW
I am not in the position to inspect your Jeep, but I doubt that axle u-joints are the cause of your pulling problem. If you have locking hubs, in the 4X2 or free position, the front axle shafts are not turning. And, even if the u-joints were bad, IMO, they would be loose/sloppy, not tight.
In 4wd, on a hard packed surface, I would expect the steering to be stiffer, especially on turns.
IMO opinion, someone is guessing on your repairs, and you'll foot the bill.

 

x2

 

I've re-read this post again and again.
Everything you have mentioned and replaced would cause LOOSE steering and wobble and wander.
Can you describe in detail this "stiffness" you say you feel.
When did it start ? after some other repair ?
after going around a corner, does the steering return to center ?
while driving, if you let up on the steering wheel, does it pull to the right ?
does it pull while braking ?
need more detailed info to try and help please

 

i concur with the two previous posts.

you've got a problem somewhere, but i doubt it's the axle u-joints. random parts replacement is expensive, as you've seen firsthand.

wally

 

Perhaps he meant "ball joints" rather than U-joints.

If the balljoints were bad, it could cause the steering to be really tight - I suppose...

 

Hey okay,
Thanks for showing interest in my problem fellas, your suggestions and intrigue was great. Replacing the steering knuckle ball joints and those inner U-joints fixed the stiff steering problem I had. Cost me $605.00 bux and it has great response now...despite it being manual steering. I'm pretty certain that most anything I did replace to try and fix this had to get replaced anyway. And it probably all started when I took off the stablizing shock when I reconditioned this thing. Then letting it sit in a garage probably siezed everything up. But I feel comfortable with the steering for this long trip I got coming up. So thanks for being around guys and showing interest
CH