75 cj5 steering question

Just started driving this Jeep. It drives straight down the road, but when turning left, it doesn't turn as sharp on when turning to the right. I assume I need to take it to the alignment shop, but I thought I'd check to see if anyone else has experienced this. Also, being a 74, was power steering available? Mine has power steering but it doesn't seem to work too well.

Thanks

Brad

 

Power steering was available from 72 on. However if someone swapped in p/s from a later model 76-86, you have to use the 72-75 pitman arm or you won't be able to turn all the way to the left stop.

 

Yep, PS was available from '72 on in the CJ.

I don't think an alignment shop will be of much help. I'd suggest you get under the car (not running) and have someone turn the steering wheel so you can see what's happening.

How does it not work well? The usual complaint is that it works too well, ie too light, no feel.

 

Thanks for the help. As far as it not working well, it feels like I have little or no power steering. I checked the fluid and it is good. Any ideas?

 

Ok, its been a few months and I finally focused again on my steering issue. (I had to swap engines, and I also bought a semi-built xj that I have been working on as well.


Here is a link to 5 pictures of what the steering looks like at full left and right lock. Is the pitman arm from a 72-75? It may be hard to tell. As you can see, the left turn is not near as sharp as the right. I hope its just the wrong pitman arm.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bradxj83/Cj1?authkey=CWpgak-H34Y&feat=directlink


All info is appreciated. This is a a great site and it makes it fun to fix up these old jeeps.



Brad

 

the stock factory arm should be straight, no drop or curve, and measure about 6-3/4" from center to center on the holes.

 

Either the pitman arm was not indexed correctly when it was installed or the steering stop on the driver side knuckle is adjusted way out.

 

Start by centering your box. Drop the arm and turn the box from lock to lock. Subtract half the turns and the box is centered. Remember your steering wheel orientation.
Then center the drag link. Place the wheels straight ahead. The pitman arm when indexed on the pitman shaft should be straight back (parallel with the frame rails). If not, then adjust the drag link till it is. Once this is done, the indexing splines on the pitman shaft should be just about spot on with arm. Make whatever fine adjustments to get the arm on the shaft. The arm should still be parallel with the frame rails.
Once the Jeep is running, take it for a drive to double check your steering wheel orientation and adjust the drag link to recenter the wheel.

 

If you disconnect the drag link from the pitman arm and center the steering gear the way the above post suggests then the pitman arm should point straight back (parallel to the frame rail) if it is angled slightly to the passengers side then you probably have the 76 and later pitman arm which will cause the steering problem you are having. The pitman arms for 72-75 and 76 and later are identical except that there are a few degrees difference in the location of the indexing splines because of the difference in the way that the steering gears mount to the frame. The 72-75 steering gears mount parallel to the centerline of the vehicle and I believe the 76 and later CJs have the steering gears mounted at a slight angle. I had the same problem when I did the power steering conversion on my 72, I used a 82 CJ steering gear that came with a pitman arm. After I switched to 72-75 power steering pitman arm everything was good. However check your steering stops at the steering knuckles also.