Loose steering on my TJ

AidieS

AidieS

New Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2023
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5
Location
New Zealand
Hi All..I am struggling to get my warrant of fitness for my TJ due to loose steering. I have installed a replacement US Larescorp remanufactured box and changed the pitman and various other suspension arms. A few things though...new pitman arm nut tightens with no threads visible at the bottom..flush...can this impact the slop. According to located mechanic here is can. I am not so sure. Secondly there is slightly more rotation in the steering one way so the box is not centered.. even though Larsecorp said it comes centered... can this cause slop when in the 12 o'clock position..I am at my wits end team ..cheers Aidan
 
AidieS said:
Secondly there is slightly more rotation in the steering one way so the box is not centered.. even though Larsecorp said it comes centered... can this cause slop when in the 12 o'clock position.
Click to expand...

The pitman arm won't be straight with the frame when centered.
Its neutral position is angled to one side.

Can you take some pictures of your steering setup?
 
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Check the u-joints in the steering shaft. One inside the cab near the steering wheel (probably not bad). Two in the engine compartment. One close to the firewall, the other close to the steering gear box. If there is excess play in the u-joints that is probably your problem. You will need to change out that section. In my TJ it was the section running from the firewall to the steering gear box. Had quite a bit of play in the u-joints on both ends. You can not replace the u-joints. You have to replace the entire section of shaft. Also, if you have a body lift you may want to consider getting a new bracket that accounts for the angle change. The angle change is what did in my shaft. I corrected it with a new bracket that positioned the steering shaft closer to the original angle.
 
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Dry test the linkage and check every connection. A dialed in TJ won’t have much play at all.
 
Crom said:
Check the u-joints in the steering shaft. One inside the cab near the steering wheel (probably not bad). Two in the engine compartment. One close to the firewall, the other close to the steering gear box. If there is excess play in the u-joints that is probably your problem. You will need to change out that section. In my TJ it was the section running from the firewall to the steering gear box. Had quite a bit of play in the u-joints on both ends. You can not replace the u-joints. You have to replace the entire section of shaft. Also, if you have a body lift you may want to consider getting a new bracket that accounts for the angle change. The angle change is what did in my shaft. I corrected it with a new bracket that positioned the steering shaft closer to the original angle.
Click to expand...

what brand shafts did you replace with?
 
Crom said:
Check the u-joints in the steering shaft. One inside the cab near the steering wheel (probably not bad). Two in the engine compartment. One close to the firewall, the other close to the steering gear box. If there is excess play in the u-joints that is probably your problem. You will need to change out that section. In my TJ it was the section running from the firewall to the steering gear box. Had quite a bit of play in the u-joints on both ends. You can not replace the u-joints. You have to replace the entire section of shaft. Also, if you have a body lift you may want to consider getting a new bracket that accounts for the angle change. The angle change is what did in my shaft. I corrected it with a new bracket that positioned the steering shaft closer to the original angle.
Click to expand...

Thanks I will check those points today. Appreciate the feedback 🙏
 
LONGJP2 said:
The pitman arm won't be straight with the frame when centered.
Its neutral position is angled to one side.

Can you take some pictures of your steering setup?
Click to expand...

Hi...I have attached a pic and video. Right hand driver laying directly under the pitman arm looking up..pitman arm angles to the right ...also my turning circle to the right is less than to the left...video if it attaches shows the play right to the steering box ..I personally think the box is a dud..but I have tried 2 boxes now.

20230122_135222.jpg


20230122_135133.jpg
 
Front view is going to help more I think. TJ appears to be in amazing condition- I really think it is going to be minor - have a friend turn the steering wheel from 10-2 back and forth steadily and watch every connection as it changes direction, then do it running.

Let us know- when you learn, we learn. Plus I’m on commission for this.
 
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AndyG said:
Front view is going to help more I think. TJ appears to be in amazing condition- I really think it is going to be minor - have a friend turn the steering wheel from 10-2 back and forth steadily and watch every connection as it changes direction, then do it running.

Let us know- when you learn, we learn. Plus I’m on commission for this.
Click to expand...

HI Andy, I think I have diagnosed the problem. My new pitman arm is for a LHD setup. I compared the old and new pitman arms and the splines are opposite to each other and that is why my steering wasn't centred in the first place. WIth my steering box centered now the new pitman arm is angled to the wrong side and hence it wont connect to my idler arm..hopefully getting the OEM RHD pitman does the trick..
 
AidieS said:
HI Andy, I think I have diagnosed the problem. My new pitman arm is for a LHD setup. I compared the old and new pitman arms and the splines are opposite to each other and that is why my steering wasn't centred in the first place. WIth my steering box centered now the new pitman arm is angled to the wrong side and hence it wont connect to my idler arm..hopefully getting the OEM RHD pitman does the trick..
Click to expand...

What’s your caster?
 
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