Steering is always fun to go through. I started with a lot of slop in the steering wheel, just like yours, but I started at the wheels and worked my way backwards. After new tie rod ends, a new bell crank pin and new bell crank, drag link rebuild kit, new pitman arm, new sector shaft (which I ruined once and went through three sets of replacement bushings before getting them reamed right), I put 140 wt oil in place of the grease that mine had and now I have decent steering. That drag link and pitman arm on yours is not a factory style for a CJ-2A that I know of. The factory drag link has springs in it at both ends to fit on a ball at the bell crank and pitman arm. The springs help soak up the bump steer that CJs are prone to. Also, the steering wheel makes for an easy grab handle when climbing in, but repeated pulling on a thin tube column will bow it just like yours.
A lot of steering slop can come from the bellcrank pin and bearings being worn. Mine was awful, someone replaced the bearings with a bushing and had tons of slop. The drag link nuts can be not adjusted properly, although I have no clue how the one you have works. Then tie rods are the next source of looseness. You got new wheel bearings, so that's out of the picture. The sector shaft where the bushings ride should be checked with a micrometer for wear. Also, maybe the set screw on the cover for the sector shaft wasn't adjusted properly. Metal shaper has a good video about it and also on how to position the pitman arm in case you get a new one. He also has a good video on the drag link. Things are looking great and I'm looking forward to the next video!
The engine, transmission and transfer case sure look sweet! I hate it when I find a grease zerk fitting on the steering box. I'm with you, I don't like parts from other cars in my jeep either, I'd change the draglink and pitman arm. The original draglink does have a certain bend, it's not perfectly straight. It's the first time I see the shims to align the steering box. They were all gone in my projects. The ball bearings that you had, have already been changed, the originals have a better race design similar in shape to that area where they ride on the worm gear. My comment was getting long and I decided to split it, hope it helps the channel grow. I really enjoy your videos!
That's what I've found. The drag link and pitman arm are wrong, and a factory drag link won't connect to the bell crank that's there so I'd have to swap that too. But most of that can be easily swapped out while the engine is in, so... I think we'll push forward with sloppy steering for a bit,
Never seen inside a steering box before. On my '58 Plymouth, there's a fair amount of slop. The adjustment is just about all of the way in. Time to take it apart and see what's loose. I'll keep this tare down for reference.
Make sure you check your tie rod ends as well. In my case, the box was actually fine but all the slop was from non-jeep steering components. (I didn't realize they weren't original at first because it has an inch of mud stuck to the whole steering system...)
It has been a minute, but I believe on mine the whole inner shaft and worm gear just pulled right out with minimal effort once the 3 bolts were removed. (lucky me?) You might have some rust or dirt on the outer bearing cup holding it in place if you've already pulled the 3 bolts, retainer, and shims. I remember that outer bearing cup being a light interference fit. I don't think you should have to tap out the bottom freeze plug first. You might consider putting the shaft in a vise if you have one available, then gently tapping the body of the housing with a rubber mallet. (Getting the housing off the shaft, versus getting the shaft out of the housing.)
It was greased up instead of full of oil, and it had been pumped full of so much grease that it went up the steering tube a fair ways, but otherwise it seemed fine. Oh well, another component is checked off the list...
Excellent! I love that you are taking us along for the journey in restoring the Jeep! Can’t wait for part 2.
Steering is always fun to go through. I started with a lot of slop in the steering wheel, just like yours, but I started at the wheels and worked my way backwards. After new tie rod ends, a new bell crank pin and new bell crank, drag link rebuild kit, new pitman arm, new sector shaft (which I ruined once and went through three sets of replacement bushings before getting them reamed right), I put 140 wt oil in place of the grease that mine had and now I have decent steering. That drag link and pitman arm on yours is not a factory style for a CJ-2A that I know of. The factory drag link has springs in it at both ends to fit on a ball at the bell crank and pitman arm. The springs help soak up the bump steer that CJs are prone to. Also, the steering wheel makes for an easy grab handle when climbing in, but repeated pulling on a thin tube column will bow it just like yours.
That probably explains it. The tube is bent downward.
A lot of steering slop can come from the bellcrank pin and bearings being worn. Mine was awful, someone replaced the bearings with a bushing and had tons of slop. The drag link nuts can be not adjusted properly, although I have no clue how the one you have works. Then tie rods are the next source of looseness. You got new wheel bearings, so that's out of the picture. The sector shaft where the bushings ride should be checked with a micrometer for wear. Also, maybe the set screw on the cover for the sector shaft wasn't adjusted properly. Metal shaper has a good video about it and also on how to position the pitman arm in case you get a new one. He also has a good video on the drag link. Things are looking great and I'm looking forward to the next video!
The engine, transmission and transfer case sure look sweet! I hate it when I find a grease zerk fitting on the steering box. I'm with you, I don't like parts from other cars in my jeep either, I'd change the draglink and pitman arm. The original draglink does have a certain bend, it's not perfectly straight. It's the first time I see the shims to align the steering box. They were all gone in my projects. The ball bearings that you had, have already been changed, the originals have a better race design similar in shape to that area where they ride on the worm gear. My comment was getting long and I decided to split it, hope it helps the channel grow. I really enjoy your videos!
That's what I've found. The drag link and pitman arm are wrong, and a factory drag link won't connect to the bell crank that's there so I'd have to swap that too. But most of that can be easily swapped out while the engine is in, so... I think we'll push forward with sloppy steering for a bit,
Good information
Never seen inside a steering box before. On my '58 Plymouth, there's a fair amount of slop. The adjustment is just about all of the way in. Time to take it apart and see what's loose. I'll keep this tare down for reference.
Make sure you check your tie rod ends as well. In my case, the box was actually fine but all the slop was from non-jeep steering components. (I didn't realize they weren't original at first because it has an inch of mud stuck to the whole steering system...)
@@SunkCostGarage will do!
How did you get the worm gear shaft out of the gear box housing? Do you tap out the freeze plug and tap it loose? Mine feels locked in.
It has been a minute, but I believe on mine the whole inner shaft and worm gear just pulled right out with minimal effort once the 3 bolts were removed. (lucky me?) You might have some rust or dirt on the outer bearing cup holding it in place if you've already pulled the 3 bolts, retainer, and shims. I remember that outer bearing cup being a light interference fit. I don't think you should have to tap out the bottom freeze plug first. You might consider putting the shaft in a vise if you have one available, then gently tapping the body of the housing with a rubber mallet. (Getting the housing off the shaft, versus getting the shaft out of the housing.)
So the box was fine? While that's frustrating, at least you get another video out of it.
It was greased up instead of full of oil, and it had been pumped full of so much grease that it went up the steering tube a fair ways, but otherwise it seemed fine. Oh well, another component is checked off the list...