New to the forum and with another 73 CJ5 power steering conversion question

Here are the photos of the shafts:




Would it work?

Thanks!

 

It will work, but you will need to adapt the input shaft to the stock steering shaft. Or change it altogether with an aftermarket piece or something from a pick n pull type yard. I'm sure there are other options too. Using the box as a core towards purchasing a rebuilt CJ unit is probably the easiest way to go. It will still be different than the manual box you have now, but changing the sheering shaft to box coupler from a manual to power is much easier.

Having done this conversion I wish I had used a CJ box.

 

Yup, if memory serves the manual box input shaft is 3/4" and the ps shaft is 13/16". This would also be a great time to switch to a borgeson or flaming river steering shaft with u joints on both ends. Also note if the ps line's are o ring style or flanged fitting. This will dictate what year lines you will need to order. 76-80 I believe were flared fittings while 80 or 81 on were o ring fittings.

Good luck bud.

 

Looking at AutoZone I can get a power steering box for a 73 or one for a 80’s CJ

73 Part Number: 7536
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...J5/_/N-ip1bmZ8oxw7?itemIdentifier=858597_0_0_

80’s Part Number: 7535
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1984-Jeep-CJ7/Steering-Gear-Power-Steering/_/N-ijzj6Z8oxw7

Which one should I buy?

 

Also, make sure it is not a quick ratio box. Count the number of turns of the input shaft it takes to go lock to lock. Less than 3 and that jeep will be a death trap. 4 and a quarter turns means it is a slower ratio, which is what you want. 3 1/4 turns means its probably a variable ratio, which is even better.

 

It looks like the 73 is a variable ratio box, I would go with that one. Variable ratio means the more you turn the quicker it responds. This equals slower turning on the highway, while quicker when turning more sharply. The 80's one would work fine as well though.

 

Ok as of right now I plan is to buy the 70’s power steering gear box and hoses and correct pitman arm and coupler.

Is this the correct coupler?
Crown J0998710
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251115740917

I plan to try to fabricate a passenger side pump bracket out of steel basing the design on photos I have of the original bracket. My only concern right now is the length of the hoses. I don’t know if they will be long enough.

Thanks for all the help!

 

You only need be concerned about the pressure side hose, from the pump to the steering gear. The return hose is low pressure and can be lengthened with a piece of hose and a couple clamps.

Your local hydraulics shop can make hoses of any length and shape for you. These shops service equipment like backhoes and loaders.

RockAuto shows 2 remaining on closeout, pressure hose for a 72-73 CJ-5 with a 258. ca $10. I'd buy them both now.

 

$10!! jump on that, I paid close to $30 at my local parts place for a stock hose.

 

Here is a link to my pictures on my 74 steering and brackets. Hope it helps.
http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab92/dave74_photo/74CJ5/Steering/

 

Thank you!!!

 

Oh ya, I would buy that now! I just payed $22 for a hose that did not work through O Rieleys and 40 for a hose that would work!

 

Finally added the power steering last night. Here are some photos of the bracket I fabricated.









I only drove it for a little bit, jeep feels a lot better! The only thing is that I feel like it takes me more steering wheel turns to turn the tires to the right. It also feel that it has less resistance. It might be just in my head, need to drive it a bit more but want to check with you guys. Here is a photo of my pitman arm with tire straight. I believe is in the right location.

 

Can someone help me with this? It takes me almost a full extra turn to rotate the wheels to the left than to the right. I think I got everything centered. What can it be?

Thanks!

 

disconnect the linkage and center the box then make the linkage line up with that. the drag link is most likely not adjusted right.

 

Maybe - the only way it can be a different number of turns to the lock on the left and the right, is if you have a variable ratio steering gear, and you did not center the gear before you connected the tie rod. Or maybe I'm not understanding your description. What is the gear from? I recall there are instructions for centering the gear in the FSM.

Also, whoever built the gear was supposed to center the spur gear on the worm, when the gear was assembled. Possible the gear was assembled wrong.

 

This is the one I bought: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...J5/_/N-ip1bmZ8oxw7?itemIdentifier=858597_0_0_

Guess I have to re-check everything. What is a easy way to center the gear box?

Thanks!

 

turn the box stop to stop count the turns divide by 2 and start from one stop count the resulting number of turns to center . ie 4 turns stop to stop would be 2 turns to center from one lock. ps best to do with the jeep off so as not to jamb the box against the stop. after looking at your box you should have just over 1 and a half turns from either stop to center.

 

Fixed the problem. I had the wrong pitman arm. I mistakenly bought one for a 76-86. Now with the correct 72-75 pitman arm (part # J0999416) my steering is centered.

While installing the pitman arm I noticed that one of the bolts that hold the steering gear box was gone (the lower rear one), looked like it snapped. I replaced with a new one and ordered a brace. The brace should help support the box in place.