SoK66

Ok, since everyone else has told you about all CAPS, and I couldmn't get to
the end of your tale to look for more pertinent details re: other repairs,
I'll just deal with your main issue per the CJs I've known:

Since you've already replaced the steering box, I'll assume you adjusted it
properly when you installed it. ALll steering boxes like that have a slight
bit of play, but it's fairly negligible. If the box is adjusted right, check
the most obvious issue, see if the steering shaft has excessive play. Even
when new, the steering shaft joints on a CJ are fairly loose due to design
and inherent play in the lower joint (called a "bell joint"). Considering
how you're set up I advise you to toss the stock steerring shaft for either
a Flaming River or Borgeson shaft, available from 4 Wheel Hardware,
Quadratec, 4 Wheel Parts, etc. About $250.

Next I'd get it on a proper alignment rack and see what the caster is. If
you've installed longer shackles then the front caster will definitely be
off, it should be about 5-7 degrees. With longer shackles it could be near
zero and it'll wander all over the road. You can either toss the long
shackles (my recommendation) in favor of stock length (4") units from
Currie, Mountain Off Road, Rubicon Express, etc., or, install degree shims
between the front axle pads and the springs to compensate. If you do the
latter, DO NOT use aluminum shims, they'll eventually split and spit out.
Steel shims are aailable from most good alignment shops, or from Poison
Spyder Customs.

FWIW, I've been "restoring" a '76 CJ5 since '02. I've replaced or repaired
virtually everything except the gearbox & transfer case; new engine, clutch,
Weber CArb, DUI ignition, rear axle overhaul with one piece shafts, wiring,
gauges, roll bar, fenders, grille/radiator support, windshield frame, glass
& seal, dash panel, top, seats, tires, strip to metal repaint in original
red, all the little
bit-from-hell, you name it. Over $20k later, hey, it's nearly done. Was it
worth it? Of course not if you're talking about money, but it runs & works
like new and the fun never stops. Just remember, thay aren't making CJs any
more, so whatever you have work it a bit at a time and you'll end up with a
classic. Most of 'em are being destroyued a little at a time, either by the
elements or by being chopped into rock crawlers.

<OldARMYJEEP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1114132415.143522.55900@f14g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> CAPS, I GUESS ITS THE WAY I HAVE ALWAYS TYPED. OLD HABITS DIE HARD,
> JUST LIKE MY JEEP.
>
> BTW- DO YOU HAVE ANY usefull comments regarding the front end of a cj
> jeep? afterall thats what im posting for. sorry for yelling. dont be so
> irritated so easily. my appologies for the lack of computer etiquite.
>

83 CJ

First of welcome to the wonderful world of the CJ. The "fun" (read
repairs) never stops; but then the FUN (read driving) never stops
either. An old CJ is a labor of love and requires constant attention.
Remember these things are getting to be 20+ years old and many have
been rode hard and put up wet.

It sounds like you are trying to do every thing at once. I would
suggest you make a plan and stick to it. The steerign seems to be the
bigest problem and bizbe gave you some good advice about getting that
fixed. I would worry about carbs, intakes, transfers etc until you get
the steeereing fixed. Then pick the next "system" you want to work on;
engine, drivetrain, axels, etc and get that squared away.

83 CJ

First of welcome to the wonderful world of the CJ. The "fun" (read
repairs) never stops; but then the FUN (read driving) never stops
either. An old CJ is a labor of love and requires constant attention.
Remember these things are getting to be 20+ years old and many have
been rode hard and put up wet.

It sounds like you are trying to do every thing at once. I would
suggest you make a plan and stick to it. The steerign seems to be the
bigest problem and bizbe gave you some good advice about getting that
fixed. I would worry about carbs, intakes, transfers etc until you get
the steeereing fixed. Then pick the next "system" you want to work on;
engine, drivetrain, axels, etc and get that squared away.

83 CJ

First of welcome to the wonderful world of the CJ. The "fun" (read
repairs) never stops; but then the FUN (read driving) never stops
either. An old CJ is a labor of love and requires constant attention.
Remember these things are getting to be 20+ years old and many have
been rode hard and put up wet.

It sounds like you are trying to do every thing at once. I would
suggest you make a plan and stick to it. The steerign seems to be the
bigest problem and bizbe gave you some good advice about getting that
fixed. I would worry about carbs, intakes, transfers etc until you get
the steeereing fixed. Then pick the next "system" you want to work on;
engine, drivetrain, axels, etc and get that squared away.

83 CJ

First of welcome to the wonderful world of the CJ. The "fun" (read
repairs) never stops; but then the FUN (read driving) never stops
either. An old CJ is a labor of love and requires constant attention.
Remember these things are getting to be 20+ years old and many have
been rode hard and put up wet.

It sounds like you are trying to do every thing at once. I would
suggest you make a plan and stick to it. The steerign seems to be the
bigest problem and bizbe gave you some good advice about getting that
fixed. I would worry about carbs, intakes, transfers etc until you get
the steeereing fixed. Then pick the next "system" you want to work on;
engine, drivetrain, axels, etc and get that squared away.

OldARMYJEEP@gmail.com

THANKS FOR THE SERIOUS REPLY. I installed a heavy duty double U Jointed
steering shaft and my gear box is TIGHT. also the addition of a heavy
duty 1 piece steering brace from Big Daddy Off Road seriously helped
the steering feel. I TOOK OFF THE POS STEERING STABILIZER BECAUSE IT
WAS CAUSING A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY IT WAS INSTALLED.-It felt like it
was jerking my draglink when i hit a bump. It was mounted from the
frame rail and hitting the drag link at some sharp angle so i just
rippid it out of there. I want a paralell mounted stabilizer that
attaches to the axle and the drag link, but thats not the real problem,
i can anticipate the steering when i hit a bump, but then it feels like
my axles are shaking from side to side at speeds around 35mph. I
either have to power thru the Death wobble with the Gas or slam the
brakes. The caster issue is something I know needs to be addressed, but
my shakles are not that tall and sometimes it actually drives
realtively straight. I would prefer to go no shakles at all. There is
something seriously wrong in this front end and there has to be
something simple im overlooking. maybe i need new u bolts, shakle
reversal kit, new lift springs, steering stabilizer, caster kit, and
newly balanced tires with an alignment. but what would you do first. I
am about to declare bankruptcy.

PS. "if you dont have any REAL knowlege of cars DONT USE MY CAPS USAGE
AS A REASON TO POST. THIS IS A TECH FORUM NOT ENGLISH LIT 101"

OldARMYJEEP@gmail.com

THANKS FOR THE SERIOUS REPLY. I installed a heavy duty double U Jointed
steering shaft and my gear box is TIGHT. also the addition of a heavy
duty 1 piece steering brace from Big Daddy Off Road seriously helped
the steering feel. I TOOK OFF THE POS STEERING STABILIZER BECAUSE IT
WAS CAUSING A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY IT WAS INSTALLED.-It felt like it
was jerking my draglink when i hit a bump. It was mounted from the
frame rail and hitting the drag link at some sharp angle so i just
rippid it out of there. I want a paralell mounted stabilizer that
attaches to the axle and the drag link, but thats not the real problem,
i can anticipate the steering when i hit a bump, but then it feels like
my axles are shaking from side to side at speeds around 35mph. I
either have to power thru the Death wobble with the Gas or slam the
brakes. The caster issue is something I know needs to be addressed, but
my shakles are not that tall and sometimes it actually drives
realtively straight. I would prefer to go no shakles at all. There is
something seriously wrong in this front end and there has to be
something simple im overlooking. maybe i need new u bolts, shakle
reversal kit, new lift springs, steering stabilizer, caster kit, and
newly balanced tires with an alignment. but what would you do first. I
am about to declare bankruptcy.

PS. "if you dont have any REAL knowlege of cars DONT USE MY CAPS USAGE
AS A REASON TO POST. THIS IS A TECH FORUM NOT ENGLISH LIT 101"

OldARMYJEEP@gmail.com

THANKS FOR THE SERIOUS REPLY. I installed a heavy duty double U Jointed
steering shaft and my gear box is TIGHT. also the addition of a heavy
duty 1 piece steering brace from Big Daddy Off Road seriously helped
the steering feel. I TOOK OFF THE POS STEERING STABILIZER BECAUSE IT
WAS CAUSING A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY IT WAS INSTALLED.-It felt like it
was jerking my draglink when i hit a bump. It was mounted from the
frame rail and hitting the drag link at some sharp angle so i just
rippid it out of there. I want a paralell mounted stabilizer that
attaches to the axle and the drag link, but thats not the real problem,
i can anticipate the steering when i hit a bump, but then it feels like
my axles are shaking from side to side at speeds around 35mph. I
either have to power thru the Death wobble with the Gas or slam the
brakes. The caster issue is something I know needs to be addressed, but
my shakles are not that tall and sometimes it actually drives
realtively straight. I would prefer to go no shakles at all. There is
something seriously wrong in this front end and there has to be
something simple im overlooking. maybe i need new u bolts, shakle
reversal kit, new lift springs, steering stabilizer, caster kit, and
newly balanced tires with an alignment. but what would you do first. I
am about to declare bankruptcy.

PS. "if you dont have any REAL knowlege of cars DONT USE MY CAPS USAGE
AS A REASON TO POST. THIS IS A TECH FORUM NOT ENGLISH LIT 101"

OldARMYJEEP@gmail.com

THANKS FOR THE SERIOUS REPLY. I installed a heavy duty double U Jointed
steering shaft and my gear box is TIGHT. also the addition of a heavy
duty 1 piece steering brace from Big Daddy Off Road seriously helped
the steering feel. I TOOK OFF THE POS STEERING STABILIZER BECAUSE IT
WAS CAUSING A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY IT WAS INSTALLED.-It felt like it
was jerking my draglink when i hit a bump. It was mounted from the
frame rail and hitting the drag link at some sharp angle so i just
rippid it out of there. I want a paralell mounted stabilizer that
attaches to the axle and the drag link, but thats not the real problem,
i can anticipate the steering when i hit a bump, but then it feels like
my axles are shaking from side to side at speeds around 35mph. I
either have to power thru the Death wobble with the Gas or slam the
brakes. The caster issue is something I know needs to be addressed, but
my shakles are not that tall and sometimes it actually drives
realtively straight. I would prefer to go no shakles at all. There is
something seriously wrong in this front end and there has to be
something simple im overlooking. maybe i need new u bolts, shakle
reversal kit, new lift springs, steering stabilizer, caster kit, and
newly balanced tires with an alignment. but what would you do first. I
am about to declare bankruptcy.

PS. "if you dont have any REAL knowlege of cars DONT USE MY CAPS USAGE
AS A REASON TO POST. THIS IS A TECH FORUM NOT ENGLISH LIT 101"