CJ Steering Box advice
07-21-2006, 04:34 PM
#41
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.
07-21-2006, 04:34 PM
#42
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.
07-21-2006, 04:34 PM
#43
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.
07-21-2006, 06:30 PM
#44
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Yup, that's the puppy I am talking about, the Saganaw unit.
KayakBill has been lucky and it has apparently taken him many years to
eat up the gears on his. Most that I see with the gear mesh tightened
down die within a year or two. I.e. No adjustment left like his now
is.
My 86's still has the original overtorque setting on it with only the
'adjuster plug' having been tightened so it is still in excellent shape.
Mike
billy ray wrote:
>
> 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.
KayakBill has been lucky and it has apparently taken him many years to
eat up the gears on his. Most that I see with the gear mesh tightened
down die within a year or two. I.e. No adjustment left like his now
is.
My 86's still has the original overtorque setting on it with only the
'adjuster plug' having been tightened so it is still in excellent shape.
Mike
billy ray wrote:
>
> 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.
07-21-2006, 06:30 PM
#45
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Yup, that's the puppy I am talking about, the Saganaw unit.
KayakBill has been lucky and it has apparently taken him many years to
eat up the gears on his. Most that I see with the gear mesh tightened
down die within a year or two. I.e. No adjustment left like his now
is.
My 86's still has the original overtorque setting on it with only the
'adjuster plug' having been tightened so it is still in excellent shape.
Mike
billy ray wrote:
>
> 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.
KayakBill has been lucky and it has apparently taken him many years to
eat up the gears on his. Most that I see with the gear mesh tightened
down die within a year or two. I.e. No adjustment left like his now
is.
My 86's still has the original overtorque setting on it with only the
'adjuster plug' having been tightened so it is still in excellent shape.
Mike
billy ray wrote:
>
> 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.
07-21-2006, 06:30 PM
#46
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Yup, that's the puppy I am talking about, the Saganaw unit.
KayakBill has been lucky and it has apparently taken him many years to
eat up the gears on his. Most that I see with the gear mesh tightened
down die within a year or two. I.e. No adjustment left like his now
is.
My 86's still has the original overtorque setting on it with only the
'adjuster plug' having been tightened so it is still in excellent shape.
Mike
billy ray wrote:
>
> 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.
KayakBill has been lucky and it has apparently taken him many years to
eat up the gears on his. Most that I see with the gear mesh tightened
down die within a year or two. I.e. No adjustment left like his now
is.
My 86's still has the original overtorque setting on it with only the
'adjuster plug' having been tightened so it is still in excellent shape.
Mike
billy ray wrote:
>
> 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.
07-21-2006, 06:30 PM
#47
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Yup, that's the puppy I am talking about, the Saganaw unit.
KayakBill has been lucky and it has apparently taken him many years to
eat up the gears on his. Most that I see with the gear mesh tightened
down die within a year or two. I.e. No adjustment left like his now
is.
My 86's still has the original overtorque setting on it with only the
'adjuster plug' having been tightened so it is still in excellent shape.
Mike
billy ray wrote:
>
> 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.
KayakBill has been lucky and it has apparently taken him many years to
eat up the gears on his. Most that I see with the gear mesh tightened
down die within a year or two. I.e. No adjustment left like his now
is.
My 86's still has the original overtorque setting on it with only the
'adjuster plug' having been tightened so it is still in excellent shape.
Mike
billy ray wrote:
>
> 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.
07-21-2006, 08:06 PM
#48
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Yes, and the 1963 Chevy's bracket were an easy conversion for the
Jeepers, older than the 1972 AMC that came with it.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
billy ray wrote:
>
> Is this the old GM 'recirculation ball and nut" steering box they used for
> decades?
Jeepers, older than the 1972 AMC that came with it.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
billy ray wrote:
>
> Is this the old GM 'recirculation ball and nut" steering box they used for
> decades?
07-21-2006, 08:06 PM
#49
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Yes, and the 1963 Chevy's bracket were an easy conversion for the
Jeepers, older than the 1972 AMC that came with it.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
billy ray wrote:
>
> Is this the old GM 'recirculation ball and nut" steering box they used for
> decades?
Jeepers, older than the 1972 AMC that came with it.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
billy ray wrote:
>
> Is this the old GM 'recirculation ball and nut" steering box they used for
> decades?
07-21-2006, 08:06 PM
#50
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: CJ Steering Box advice
Yes, and the 1963 Chevy's bracket were an easy conversion for the
Jeepers, older than the 1972 AMC that came with it.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
billy ray wrote:
>
> Is this the old GM 'recirculation ball and nut" steering box they used for
> decades?
Jeepers, older than the 1972 AMC that came with it.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
billy ray wrote:
>
> Is this the old GM 'recirculation ball and nut" steering box they used for
> decades?