Project Money Pit!

[AK-RWC]

Everything seems right under there including the steering shaft and the steering column.

But when I was driving it, it seemed to be lose and all over the road.

Any help on tightening the steering box?

What do you mean by "tighten{} the steering box?" Sure, there are several bolts that attach the box and brackets to the frame which can be tightened if loose. I actually did have a box come completely loose once; probably was driving that way for 6 months before I realized that I could wiggle the whole box on the frame. I tightened the bolts and was happy. Might have even used some red LockTite.

Aside from that, my dad told me about a trick when I was 16 or 17 that involved the allen-head/set-screw for the sector shaft: tighten it very very very gently. He cautioned me that it's also an easy way to ruin the box. I've been too afraid to try it, and have always heard more about the woes of doing it incorrectly rather than the benefits. Therefore, I've been too chicken to try it. When I built my Scrambler, I just bought a brand new box.

Upgrading your steering shaft will also improve your on-road feel. Consider adding the opposite-side frame brace (several companies are making these brackets now), and even upgrading the OEM box brackets to the aftermarket one-piece bracket which is much beefier. And do all the obvious like checking tie-rod and drag-link ends, and ball joints.

Aside from that, longer shackles and worn bushing can cause a "wandering" feeling. I can't tell from the pics for certain, but it looks like you've got stock or just barely longer shackles, which won't be an issue. The bushings still could be though.

Barring all of those problems, CJs have always been known for loose steering. That's a sexy 8 you've got for a project! I'm jealous!

 

[Tim7]

From what I was told there's a Allen screw or something that could be tightened and should fix the problem...?

It has stock shackles and all the steering components look good.

 

[Randyzzz]

You really need another person to help diagnose this. Have your helper rock the steering wheel back and forth between 9:00 and 3:00. Back and forth, not too fast, and steady. Now- you get the fun part. Start crawling around and look for anything that is "moving". Are the spring shackles loose letting the axle shift left to right? Is your steering box bracket loose or broken? Is there any motion in any of the rod ends? Pitman arm tight? Coupler between steering gearbox and intermediate shaft tight?

Also jack up the front end and have your helper pull on the bottom of the tire. Any looseness could indicate worn ball joints or wheel bearings.

If all your diagnosis still leads to the sector shaft (steering gearbox)- be careful. It's too easy to overtighten. Mark the allen bolt so you can verify position. While holding the allen steady, loosen the lock nut. Now, tighten the allen maybe 1/8 turn at the most. Tighten the lock nut and see if there's any improvement. If this helps, you can go another 1/8 turn and recheck. But do not use the old "tighter is better" logic. In this case "too tight is ruined".

 

[bigwalton]

Agree with Randy, there's very little chance that this is a problem inside your steering box IMHO. Without the test he mentions, you simply cannot tell if there's loose steering/suspension bits. When everything is just sitting there, there can be too much friction/force on the parts for them to move by grabbing/pulling them, you have to check by moving the wheel back and forth as described and then checking your ball joints and wheel bearings.

I recently saw someone running wheel bearings so loose that the inside of their tire was contacting the tie-rod-end. There was a good bit of noise coming from that side but it still ran down the road, so they can be well out of spec and still work enough to drive on.

 

[Tim7]

Thanks