Steering Question
- Thread starter sjo426
- Start date
RE: the saga continues
Jack the front of the Jeep up to relieve stress from everything and just start doing a visual inspection of basically everything. Grab a tire at the top and bottom and wiggle it....play here indicates worn ball joints. Grab all of the steering linkages and give them a few good tugs to check for wear. Check the condition of the leaf spring bushings and verify that all bolts are correctly tightened, including the U-bolts. Drop the front of the jeep back down and have somebody turn the steering wheel while you look for slop in the steering linkages and any flex from the steering box mounting area. Is there any slop in the steering box itself? Check the condition of the steering shaft couplers too.
By now, ALL CJs are pretty much worn out in one way or another. It might not be one part that is really worn out or messed up, but rather alot of parts that are just slightly worn and working together to create a big problem.
Jack the front of the Jeep up to relieve stress from everything and just start doing a visual inspection of basically everything. Grab a tire at the top and bottom and wiggle it....play here indicates worn ball joints. Grab all of the steering linkages and give them a few good tugs to check for wear. Check the condition of the leaf spring bushings and verify that all bolts are correctly tightened, including the U-bolts. Drop the front of the jeep back down and have somebody turn the steering wheel while you look for slop in the steering linkages and any flex from the steering box mounting area. Is there any slop in the steering box itself? Check the condition of the steering shaft couplers too.
By now, ALL CJs are pretty much worn out in one way or another. It might not be one part that is really worn out or messed up, but rather alot of parts that are just slightly worn and working together to create a big problem.
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
Consider a shackle reversal if you still aren't happy with the CJ's steering after replacing the worn parts. Having the front axle follow solid frame hangers while driving makes the jeep much more stable and driveable. A rear locker also helps take out steering wander, especially a spool.
