That's because half of them are written by idiots who don't understand what that adjustment does. You can only temporarily remove slop with it, that is the only correct answer.
Steering slop help
- Thread starter red02tj
- Start date
That's because half of them are written by idiots who don't understand what that adjustment does. You can only temporarily remove slop with it, that is the only correct answer.
As far as I can tell from your videos, there is no slip between the steering shaft and the input shaft of the steering gear. If so, the problem is in the steering gear itself and you need to adjust that. If adjusting that ruins what is left it really doesn’t matter because it must have already been toast.
So if a slight adjustment helps with slop...it's a temporary fix? Does that mean I should start planning on a new steering gear box? I'm actually thinking more on my son's 2008 JK, but would apply. I've not spent much time on this, so I know I'm ignorant, trying not to be an idiot, ha.
Just trying to make sure you're not saying that the adjustment masks other issues that will come back vs. once the steering gear needs adjustment its going to keep getting worse and you're pissing in the wind.
The gear lash adjustment is set on the bench with something like an inch pound wrench turning the input shaft. What you are trying to do by adjusting it is setting your ring and pinion backlash based on how it sounds.
The lash is not there typically due to wear in the sector gear and piston, it is due to the bore wearing where the piston spends the most time.
my jeep had a bad alignment after shop installed my lift. did the diy alignment and it was toed out bad. aligned it to 1/8” toe in and it fixed how poorly my jeep was handling.
I appreciate all the suggestions. I was back under the Jeep taking more pictures and noticed for the first time my steering box is a Delphi. I’m assuming Delphi wasn’t the gearbox OEM on the 02s? If that’s the case, PO replaced it and makes me lean more towards my box being bad.
KJT
Member
My 2005 TJR has a similar problem, how did you diagnose that it was the lower steering shaft, and which steering shaft did you buy? Brand/model? With my jeep not running and siting in the driveway, I can manually rock my drive shaft back and forth, is this normal?
KJT
Member
Pardon, typo, meant steering shaft. With my jeep not running and sitting in the driveway, I can manually rock the "steering shaft" (in the engine bay) back and forth, is this normal?
KJT
Member
Seems like it’s neither. Both seem to rock in unison.
Checked my dad’s jeep, and it’s the same, but that’s without doing a dry steering test. I’ll post back later today when l can check for sure.
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If your steering gear box is in good shape, there should be no movement where the input shaft goes into the gearbox… look at where the lower steering shaft attaches to the gearbox and there is a small u joint that will wear out… have somebody turn the steering wheel wheel back-and-forth without turning the tires and watch that lower shaft where it attaches to the gearbox… there shouldn’t be any movement… if there’s movement in the u joint you can replace the lower steering shaft… I got the crown replacement all Amazon and it worked fine…
KJT
Member
Finally got the jeep in the garage today. Did a dry steering test, jacked the jeep up, checked alignment and tried rotating the lower steering shaft for play. It didn’t seem like the joint (roughly in the middle) had any play, however, the input shaft which enters the steering box did show some noticeable play.
I tried checking my dad’s Tj for play and it’s hard to tell much of a difference, but his is notably better on the road.
Sure sounds like your steering box may be worn out internally which does happen. Red Head is one good brand of steering box, Cardone is a bad brand to avoid. Don't tighten the adjustment bolt on top like some may recommend doing, that's not what that bolt is for.
LONGJP2
TJ Expert
I know this was an old post, but for anyone else following along.
1/16" would not be enough difference for that 48" level.
It would need to be 1/4 inch to get the .30° toe.
https://robrobinette.com/ConvertToeDegreesToInches.htm
Interesting, you’re the first person who caught that. I rotated my tires last month, it tracks straight at 70+ but I’ll redo it over the weekend.
LONGJP2
TJ Expert