Sloppy Steering! do i need a new steering box?

[spankrjs]

The shaft will deflect to take up the side to side slop before rotating, causing looseness. You turn the wheel, shaft is tight at the wheel. But, the other end of the shaft is not tight so it deflects to the side before rotating.

 

[MomoJeep]

Thanks for the replies. Here's why I still don't get it.. First some assumptions:
- we are talking about the lower column bearing (just outside of the firewall in the engine compartment, near the master cylinder). Correct?
- just below that bearing, there is a U-joint in the steering shaft..

Here's how my brain sees it:
So if that U-joint is good and tight, (and the joint down by the steering box as well), there can be no angular slop. If slop in the lower column bearing let's the shaft move to the side, this still doesn't effect the angular rotation. Right? For example, this is the same as your driveshaft. If you go over a bump the u-joint moves laterally (up and down) but it does not change the angular rotation of the shaft.. Right? Am I missing something?

 

[sxer]

Thanks for the replies. Here's why I still don't get it.. First some assumptions:
- we are talking about the lower column bearing (just outside of the firewall in the engine compartment, near the master cylinder). Correct?
- just below that bearing, there is a U-joint in the steering shaft..

Here's how my brain sees it:
So if that U-joint is good and tight, (and the joint down by the steering box as well), there can be no angular slop. If slop in the lower column bearing lets the shaft move to the side, this still doesn't effect the angular rotation. Right? For example, this is the same as your driveshaft. If you go over a bump the u-joint moves laterally (up and down) but it does not change the angular rotation of the shaft.. Right? Am I missing something?

When you turn the wheel the first action is taking up the lateral slop with no rotation of the shaft.

 

[rubclt]

If the slop is in the lower steering column, use this:

M109SS Lower Steering Column Cartridge Bearing

Wolff Engineering M109SS Lower Steering Column Cartridge Bearing for Saginaw columns with 2" jacket and 1" shaft. This cartridge bearing is designed around a precision, sealed deep-groove radial ball bearing. The cartridge body is constructed of acetal and is precisely toleranced to insure a...

www.wolffeng.com

This made a big difference for me and is affordable and easy install that all CJ need… you may have other issues but this part is worth investing