73 cj5 steering excessive play

murphystoys

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2005
Location
Greensboro NC
Ive got a 73 cj5 and have adjusted the power steering box as much as I could but still have a ton of excessive play. Im running 33" tires so the jeep is all over the place. Could someone please tell me what they think.
 
My cj7 does this to. Many say a traction bar will help the ride but kill flex. I don't go crawling so I'm going to get one and if I ever go crawling i'll take it off. Alot of these jeeps if not all will wander all over the road.
 
maybe it needs new TRE's. or the box is worn out. if you adjust it too tight, it wears them out faster.
 
Yea Ive got long shackles. I know its gonna wonder some im more concerned about all the play in the steering. It shouldnt have that much play I dont think
 
Check out the leaf spring bushings, TRE's and the steering shaft. The original steering shaft design wasn't the greatest and I've ran into that problem myself. Otherwise its a short Jeep, make sure that box isn't adjusted too tight.
 
Check all the steering box mounting brackets and frame for cracks. I had a kid stop by my house few years back and after talking, he was saying how all jeeps drive bad etc.. 2 seconds looking at his jeep with him turning the wheel showed that literally everything was either loose, broken or wore out..
 
This was a frame off restoration that me and my buddy did so I know that almost everything is new. Has to be in the steering box I would suspect. I know they steer kinda bad this is just borderline dangerous lol. :driver: <----- ive got twice the play in my steering that my little smiley guy has. :handed:
 
Tried the little tensioner on top? Back off the nut and snug the allen screw a little.

Slop in the steering shaft?

Cracked brackets are real common, get one of those braces for it.
 
I would have someone wiggle the steering wheel and see if the input shaft on the steering box moves more than the sector shaft. Then look at the sector shaft to see if there's any side to side movement. If that doesn't show any wear stand a straight edge against the outside of the front tire and see how much movent you have in the body side to side before the wheels turn.
 
driveability

if all steering components are ok check your allignment. with those long shackles you have lost some caster. most jeeps like 6 to 8 degrees of positive caster.a panhard bar helps alot with lift springs or long shackles.
 
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