CJ5 Steering Question....

Well I got my Jeep here finaly and now I have really bad play in the steering wheel the play stops comming out of the steering box I was wondering if there was a way to tighten it or if I needed a new steering box... If a new one is best where is a good place to find one.....

 

It can be adjusted, although you need to follow the instructions in the manual. Basically you need to adjust the bearing preload (big nut on the top end) before you adjust the gear mesh (screw on the top). You need an inch-pound torque wrench and a couple special tools, which you should be able to kludge up if your're handy.

Resist the urge to adjust the mesh screw before adjusting the preload. There at least one place on the net that advises you to adjust the screw, but the FSM specifically warns against it.

Otherwise you can exchange the box for a rebuilt one at the parts store (heard that Napa has them).

IIRC there's a coupler between the steering shaft and the box that can wear, so I'd be sure to rule that out before I removed the box.

hth!

 

I have adjusted the box following the steps in "The Jeep Bible" by Willy Worthy and the other guy.

1. Jack up front end and put axle on jack stands

2. Loosen nut on top of box

3. Have a 2nd person turn the wheel from stop to stop while you tighten the screw at the top. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN!

I did it on mine. Definitely cured the loose steering, but not sure how it is going to work in the long run. Worse case scenario, replace the box its only like $150.

 

I have no first-hand experience with the effectiveness of this adjustment, but from my understanding of how the adjustment works and what I've read in the FSM, following the above procedure seems very risky.

The box has two main gears: a long worm gear of sorts where the power assist takes place, and a sector shaft gear that meshes with the worm and turns the pitman arm. The screw on the top of the box adjusts the mesh of the sector gear with the worm gear (the "pitman shaft overcenter drag torque"). The big nut at the steering shaft end of the box adjusts the end play for the power assist worm gear (the "wormshaft bearing preload").

The sector shaft adjust screw pushes the sector shaft gear against the worm. If the end play in the worm is small enough, tightening the gear mesh will not jam the power assist. If the end play is loose, the mesh adjust will push the worm out of alignment with the center line of the steering box. This will cause the box to wear out faster and possibly jam.

The above procedure, which is repeated elsewhere on the net, advises that you do exactly what the FSM tells you NOT to do. "Always adjust wormshaft bearing preload first; then adjust pitman shaft overcenter drag torque last." IMHO you should never cut corners on steering or brakes. Please read the manual and understand how this system works before you decide how to proceed.

 

I don't belive Pat stated whether he had a power or manual box. if it's a manual, then MA74CJ5 has it right.

 

Yes, I assumed it was power sterring ... however ...

Not trying to be contrary here, but no, the FSM says the same thing for the manual box. Always adjust the worm bearing before setting the lash adjustment screw. Different terms, same concept.

 

OK, I'm not hyjacking this, but I don't see any other adjustment on my box but the allen screw and nut on the top. I put in a new box and this allen screw is just about all the way out. The new box helped, but I still have some play in it. Any suggestions there???

High5

 

Manual steering? Here's the exploded view:



The power box has the worm preload at the top end, where the shaft enters.

Look at http://www.c104.net/manual/Section_11.pdf

hth!

 

I'll disagree here...I've rebuilt and adjusted literally hundreds of steering boxes. As long as there is no end play or binding of the worm gear, there is no reason to readjust the bearings. Excessive steering box play is the result of three things. Loose/bad worm gear bearings, wear in the worm/sector(pitman)shaft contact area, and worn sector shaft bushings. It is also possible to have excessive play in the top of the pitman shaft and the adjusting screw.As for excessive slop, first you must do your check with the box centered. If the box is off center(usually due to the installation of a lift shortening the drag link) you will over tighten the box. On power steering applications, be sure to check for excessive slop with the engine running.