Newbie Help - '67 CJ-5 Basics to make road worthy - Issue #1 - Steering

I’m sure much of this has been addressed in the past, so please excuse a newbie for not having the patience to sort through all the threads with the search function. If someone could kindly refer me to a link of a relevant thread from the past, many thanks.

This is one of three threads to address the three issues I have with getting my “new” jeep road worthy; I thought it prudent to keep them in separate threads as they may go different directions.

Background: Last week, I inherited a 1967 CJ-5 with the 225 CID V6. It has been in my family since brand new. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been very well maintained. The engine is strong (only 19K original miles) and the drivetrain feels good and nothing leaks. However, lots of peripheral areas need serious attention. While I’m pretty savvy from a vehicle and engineering standpoint, I am completely Jeep-stupid and while I’ve already learned a lot from this and other forums, I have a long way to go.

Issue #1: Steering

There is about 100 degrees of free play in the steering column. In addition to the tires (see separate thread), the vehicle doesn’t feel safe to drive. It is partly due to me getting used to it, but anything above 40 mph is a real adventure.

A non-Jeep mechanic said I needed new tie-rods, new draglink, and a “triple-tree” repair kit with all of the accompanied installation hardware. From what I’ve read so far about king pins and pitman arms, could someone translate to me exactly what I need to clean up the steering assembly? Major hardware and installation fittings.

Thanks to all in advance

 

Assuming it has a Ross steering box, adjust it per the manual.
Then check for slop in the drag link. Adjust it per manual or repair if necessary. A repair kit is pretty cheap.
You can download a manual for the M38A1 from the link in my signiture to get you started.

 

JMO - Jeep knuckles and steering that have been neglected for a long time will need to be gone through from top to bottom. At the very least you'll need seals and to inspect everything. This is something you can do yourself though. You need the manual. There's alot of good info on Dr. Vern's site about the closed-knuckle axles. http://www.vernco.com/

 

JMO - I think all these moving parts tend to wear out fast, by modern standards. There's a lot of extra stuff in a Jeep front axle compared to a passenger car axle, and you can't assume that everything is fine for 200,000 miles like you usually can on a passenger car. Plus, many Jeeps have seen hard service: run through water and mud, many miles on rough roads, etc. That and lack of proper lubrication and service can cause a lot of trouble. Plus all this extra moving stuff is quite foreign to most people - what average driver thinks to chang the oil in his differentials?

I think you have to assume that, for any Jeep with closed knuckles, if the previous owner was not a loving hobbyist, the knuckles and steering are going to need some attention.