AMCJeepMJ Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 I read on here many many moons ago about tightening the steering box, but cannot find the thread. My steering is about as crisp as a marshmallow edge despite recent ball joints and tie rod ends replacement this year. Can anyone point me in the right direction or throw out some easy-to-follow instructions for doing it without removing the box from the truck? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 http://www.comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=35286 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainman Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 My steering is about as crisp as a marshmallow edge this actually made me lol. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMCJeepMJ Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 Aha! that's the exact thread I was looking for. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 That video is good for showing you what to adjust and where, but lousy for explaining the actual process. He does mention that overtightening can ruin the box, but he doesn't offer any advice as to how to avoid overtightening. The first thing is, especially for you young guys who grew up driving foreign cars with rack-and-pinion steering, is that the Jeep steering is NOT rack-and-pinion, and you can NEVER make it as tight or as precise as rack-and-pinion. If that's what you're aiming for -- you WILL ruin your steering box. That "stud" (as he calls it, which isn't a stud but a screw with a locknut) is the "over-center lash adjustment screw." The Jeep steering box is what is called a "worm and ball" steering box. There has to be a certain (very small) amount of backlash or free play to allow the parts to work without undue wear -- exactly as the differential requires a small amount of backlash between the ring gear and the pinion gear. In the steering box, the geometry of the gears and threaded input shaft are such that the backlash is least when the steering box (and road wheels) are stright ahead, and there's more lash when the steering is off-center. So ... first thing, ONLY adjust the over-center screw when the steering wheel is centered in the straight ahead position. Next -- how to know when to STOP adjusting. Basically, by feel. Set the steering wheel straight, then leave the key in the UNlocked position so you can turn the steering wheel with the engine off. Stand outside the vehicle so you can visually align a fender or flare edge with a point on the tire tread or shoulder. Now, reach in and wiggle the steering wheel back and forth. Don't try to turn the tire, just see how far left and right you can move the wheel before you can see ANY movement whatsoever at the tire. That's your over-center lash, or free play. The goal is to adjust almost all of that free play out, but leave just a tiny bit so the steering doesn't bind up across the center. As I said above, I do it by feel. Once you have the locknut loosened and the Allen (hex) key in the adjusting screw, lean down and grab the collar where the steering shaft connects to the steering box input shft with your right hand, and the Allen wrench with your left hand. GENTLY wiggle the steering shaft back and forth. You should be able to feel if there's a range through which it rotates freely before encountering resistance. While you wiggle the shaft, turn the Allen wrench slowly. You'll feel the range of free play decreasing. Keep going until the free play seems to just about reach zero, then back off perhaps 1/8 of a turn. Use the Allen wrench to hold the adjusting screw at that position while you tighten the lock nut. Double check to verify that you still have a very small amount of free play (lash). If not, loosen the lcoknut and back off the adjusting screw another 1/8 of a turn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMCJeepMJ Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 ^^ good info. I'll be checking it out this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Just curious what yrs have that adjustable box?? The box in my 86 is not like that. Anybody know??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Just curious what yrs have that adjustable box?? The box in my 86 is not like that. Anybody know??? Yes it is. ALL Comanches used GM Saginaw steering boxes, and they ALL adjust like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 hmmm interesting. I'll have to take another look at it. results pending...... EDIT: Well I'll be damned, it is the same. guess my eyes were fuzzy the first time. Thanks for the info. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 I hope by revealing that insider information I am not contributing to the wholesale destruction of a bunch of MJ steering boxes. The box in my '88 MJ had an incredible amount of slop in it when I bought it. When I investigated to see if it could be adjusted out, I found that the adjusting screw was already TIGHTLY bottomed out -- which meant the idiot kid who had gotten the truck from his grandfather (the original purchaser) had tried to make it as tight as a rack-and-pinion steering gear and, instead, ruined it. I had to replace the box. The fact is, they rarely need to be adjusted. My '88 Cherokee has gone 287,000+ miles and the steering box is still tight. DON'T GO CRAZY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 yeah I know what ya mean. mine has a bit of play. 300,000 miles and from the looks of the grease/fluid/dirt buildup it has never been touched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rylee144 Posted June 25, 2021 Share Posted June 25, 2021 Seems like a good video. I think mine needs a little tightening https://bleepinjeep.com/video/how-to-tighten-your-steering-box/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZJeff Posted June 25, 2021 Share Posted June 25, 2021 I will add my $0.02 here and also discourage you from tightening the box. If you are ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN the box needs some tightening, do any adjustments in VERY SMALL increments, like 1/8 of a turn at a time. Use a paint pen to mark the shaft and the box with a starting reference point. GO SLOW. If you move the screw more than 1/2 turn, it's probably too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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