CJ Steering Box advice
07-21-2006, 06:45 AM
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
"pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
it.
"pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
it.
07-21-2006, 09:48 AM
#32
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
left, then the steering box is trash.
If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
KayakBill wrote:
>
> Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
>
> Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> it.
found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
left, then the steering box is trash.
If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
KayakBill wrote:
>
> Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
>
> Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> it.
07-21-2006, 09:48 AM
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
left, then the steering box is trash.
If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
KayakBill wrote:
>
> Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
>
> Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> it.
found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
left, then the steering box is trash.
If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
KayakBill wrote:
>
> Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
>
> Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> it.
07-21-2006, 09:48 AM
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
left, then the steering box is trash.
If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
KayakBill wrote:
>
> Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
>
> Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> it.
found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
left, then the steering box is trash.
If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
KayakBill wrote:
>
> Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
>
> Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> it.
07-21-2006, 09:48 AM
#35
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
left, then the steering box is trash.
If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
KayakBill wrote:
>
> Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
>
> Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> it.
found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
left, then the steering box is trash.
If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
KayakBill wrote:
>
> Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
>
> Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> it.
07-21-2006, 10:53 AM
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Oh and if the adjuster plug on the end won't tighten up the steering,
then you would need to mess with the gear mesh screw. I just think it
is best to start at the right end of things.
Mike
Mike Romain wrote:
>
> I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
> found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
>
> The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
> center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
> wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
> to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
>
> As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
> left, then the steering box is trash.
>
> If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
> it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
> torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
>
> The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
> end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
> the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
>
> The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> KayakBill wrote:
> >
> > Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> > "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> > the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> > I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> > eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> > gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> > rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> > machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> > adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> > to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> > I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> > that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> > exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> > Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> > since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
> >
> > Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> > from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> > They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> > play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> > designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> > it.
then you would need to mess with the gear mesh screw. I just think it
is best to start at the right end of things.
Mike
Mike Romain wrote:
>
> I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
> found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
>
> The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
> center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
> wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
> to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
>
> As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
> left, then the steering box is trash.
>
> If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
> it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
> torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
>
> The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
> end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
> the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
>
> The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> KayakBill wrote:
> >
> > Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> > "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> > the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> > I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> > eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> > gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> > rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> > machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> > adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> > to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> > I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> > that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> > exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> > Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> > since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
> >
> > Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> > from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> > They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> > play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> > designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> > it.
07-21-2006, 10:53 AM
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Oh and if the adjuster plug on the end won't tighten up the steering,
then you would need to mess with the gear mesh screw. I just think it
is best to start at the right end of things.
Mike
Mike Romain wrote:
>
> I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
> found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
>
> The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
> center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
> wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
> to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
>
> As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
> left, then the steering box is trash.
>
> If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
> it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
> torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
>
> The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
> end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
> the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
>
> The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> KayakBill wrote:
> >
> > Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> > "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> > the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> > I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> > eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> > gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> > rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> > machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> > adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> > to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> > I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> > that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> > exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> > Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> > since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
> >
> > Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> > from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> > They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> > play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> > designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> > it.
then you would need to mess with the gear mesh screw. I just think it
is best to start at the right end of things.
Mike
Mike Romain wrote:
>
> I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
> found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
>
> The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
> center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
> wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
> to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
>
> As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
> left, then the steering box is trash.
>
> If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
> it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
> torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
>
> The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
> end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
> the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
>
> The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> KayakBill wrote:
> >
> > Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> > "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> > the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> > I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> > eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> > gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> > rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> > machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> > adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> > to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> > I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> > that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> > exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> > Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> > since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
> >
> > Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> > from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> > They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> > play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> > designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> > it.
07-21-2006, 10:53 AM
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Oh and if the adjuster plug on the end won't tighten up the steering,
then you would need to mess with the gear mesh screw. I just think it
is best to start at the right end of things.
Mike
Mike Romain wrote:
>
> I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
> found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
>
> The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
> center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
> wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
> to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
>
> As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
> left, then the steering box is trash.
>
> If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
> it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
> torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
>
> The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
> end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
> the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
>
> The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> KayakBill wrote:
> >
> > Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> > "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> > the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> > I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> > eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> > gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> > rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> > machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> > adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> > to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> > I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> > that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> > exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> > Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> > since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
> >
> > Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> > from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> > They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> > play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> > designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> > it.
then you would need to mess with the gear mesh screw. I just think it
is best to start at the right end of things.
Mike
Mike Romain wrote:
>
> I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
> found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
>
> The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
> center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
> wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
> to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
>
> As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
> left, then the steering box is trash.
>
> If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
> it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
> torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
>
> The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
> end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
> the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
>
> The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> KayakBill wrote:
> >
> > Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> > "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> > the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> > I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> > eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> > gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> > rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> > machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> > adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> > to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> > I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> > that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> > exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> > Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> > since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
> >
> > Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> > from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> > They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> > play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> > designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> > it.
07-21-2006, 10:53 AM
#39
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Oh and if the adjuster plug on the end won't tighten up the steering,
then you would need to mess with the gear mesh screw. I just think it
is best to start at the right end of things.
Mike
Mike Romain wrote:
>
> I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
> found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
>
> The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
> center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
> wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
> to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
>
> As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
> left, then the steering box is trash.
>
> If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
> it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
> torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
>
> The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
> end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
> the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
>
> The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> KayakBill wrote:
> >
> > Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> > "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> > the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> > I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> > eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> > gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> > rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> > machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> > adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> > to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> > I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> > that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> > exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> > Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> > since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
> >
> > Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> > from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> > They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> > play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> > designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> > it.
then you would need to mess with the gear mesh screw. I just think it
is best to start at the right end of things.
Mike
Mike Romain wrote:
>
> I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
> found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
>
> The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
> center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
> wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
> to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
>
> As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
> left, then the steering box is trash.
>
> If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
> it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
> torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
>
> The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
> end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
> the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
>
> The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> KayakBill wrote:
> >
> > Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
> > "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
> > the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
> > I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
> > eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
> > gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
> > rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
> > machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
> > adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
> > to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
> > I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
> > that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
> > exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
> > Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
> > since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
> >
> > Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
> > from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
> > They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
> > play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
> > designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
> > it.
07-21-2006, 04:34 PM
#40
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Is this the old GM 'recirculation ball and nut" steering box they used for
decades?
"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:44C0DB28.502BCA7A@sympatico.ca...
>I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
> found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
>
> The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
> center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
> wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
> to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
>
> As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
> left, then the steering box is trash.
>
> If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
> it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
> torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
>
> The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
> end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
> the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
>
> The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> KayakBill wrote:
>>
>> Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
>> "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
>> the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
>> I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
>> eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
>> gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
>> rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
>> machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
>> adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
>> to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
>> I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
>> that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
>> exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
>> Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
>> since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
>>
>> Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
>> from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
>> They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
>> play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
>> designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
>> it.
decades?
"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:44C0DB28.502BCA7A@sympatico.ca...
>I have the instructions here for rebuilding the Saganaw steering box
> found in most CJ's and have actually done a few, one recently.
>
> The screw in the top with the locknut on it is the adjuster for the over
> center torque or the pitman adjuster. This makes it harder to turn the
> wheel by meshing the gears harder together. Like you I used to use that
> to 'tighten' up boxes until I knew better.
>
> As you have noted, it mashes the gears until you have no more adjustment
> left, then the steering box is trash.
>
> If you are going to adjust this, you put the box in a vise and tighten
> it down until the steering shaft has 4 to 5 inch pounds of rotational
> torque on it. This cannot be accomplished easily in the vehicle.
>
> The adjustment for a loose steering shaft is the adjuster plug in the
> end where the shaft enters. This will take the right left slop out of
> the steering wheel without hurting the gears.
>
> The best way is to take the box out and do the whole thing.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> KayakBill wrote:
>>
>> Actually, that's not a "pre-load" set-screw. Gears can not be
>> "pre-loaded" as bearings can. The OE I.P.B. identifies this screw as
>> the "steering gear adjuster". I've had this '73 CJ-5 since '81, and
>> I've adjusted this "steering gear adjuster" many, many times to
>> eliminate steering wheel play, and it works every time. The pinion
>> gear's teeth are cut on a compound angle, and the farther down onto the
>> rack gear you push it the tighter the engagement. It was designed and
>> machined this way to adjust for wear using the "steering gear
>> adjuster". They even have a hole in the crossmember over it for access
>> to this "steering gear adjuster" while it's mounted on the vehicle.
>> I've adjusted mine over the last 25 years of daily driving to the point
>> that the set-screw is now so deep that there aren't enuf threads
>> exposed for the lock-nut anymore, so I just look at it frequently.
>> Luckily it hasn't backed out a bit in the last year of daily driving
>> since I last adjusted this "steering gear adjuster".
>>
>> Not sure where the thought that this would "destroy" anything came
>> from, but I can assure you that what you're saying is not correct.
>> They designed this box for adusting the steering gears to eliminate
>> play, they positioned the adjuster in a convienient location and
>> designed the crossmember with an access hole so you can adjust easily
>> it.
