The (front) bearings and ball joints so far seem OK.

If my box has slop driving the Pittman arm? , has anyone had any success "tightening one up?" (the box)

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/adj...ck-bar-134455/

And Freedgr, no, I still haven't had the right weather and company to see if the box is loose. ER....I mean somebody to turn it.

 

[QUOTE=DFlintstone;2253490]The (front) bearings and ball joints so far seem OK.

If my box has slop driving the Pittman arm? , has anyone had any success "tightening one up?" (the box)

Yep. The adjuster on top?

 

I've tried it 3 or four times. (in the rig, mounted). ONCE on a Ford IIrc, worked sweet.

ifit's- its on her bottom thy gotr hid'n n' thar pretty well.

No "bind" at high noon? Thoughts?

I can't see the top!

 

The adjustment for the box is on top.

 

Great, so you DID. I have a trip coming up. Tire wear is fine. I'll get someone here to help find the play. Do you have a "shortcut" from what I will see in the FSM?

 

Shortcut to adjusting the top bolt in the steering box?

 

So..you are sayen you saw tightening the screw took up play?

I mean, ain't it a slotted shaft with an outer nut?

 

Yes, as opposed to putting it on the bench, anyone..

I need to look better Pete. I've never seen one with an adjustment "bolt". I'm learning here! A "lock nut" I have seen.

 

sometimes putting a eighth to a quarter turn on the spanner nut on the steering box input can take up play. and that can be done mounted. Not sure about the adjustment on top, but I know you can see the adjustment screw with the airbox removed. If you can see it should be able to do it.

 

I might have a hand here after lunch on Friday. All I'm fimiliar with is the slotted shaft and the outer nut..locking....Btw, I posted because I saw stuff suggesting this was not a route...

270K Highmilage! But that's just this Jeep. I suspect you and I may as well have a couple million more!

 

The best way to adjust the box is on the bench with a torque wrench, but you can do it installed if you are careful.

Center the steering.
Loosen lock nut.
Hold lock nut in place, turn center screw 1/8 turn clockwise.
Hold center screw in place while tightening lock nut.
Go for a drive.
Repeat if you still have slop.
If at any time your steering stops returning to center or you feel any binding or tightness as the steering passes through center, stop and turn the adjustment counter-clockwise again. Too tight and you'll ruin the gears inside in short order.

While you have your helper, watch the point the steering shaft enters the box while helper is turning the wheel. The shaft should turn left or right, but not move back and forth, in or out of the box.
The Saginaw gears have an adjustment to fix that too, although I'm not sure your year uses the Saginaw steering gear.
You'll see a (very) large lock nut around back encircling the steering shaft connection. Remove it and you'll see an adjuster behind it, which requires a spanner wrench (or pair of needle nose) to turn. That adjustment should be turned clockwise until tight, then backed off 1/2 inch counterclockwise. It's a bearing preload adjustment....no slop but not tight either.

 

??

 

Radi! Hey my friend, I came up with that photo with the last of my energy today. I will look further at your post in the AM. Yea, as you can guess getting it right here might really matter in the big picture. I'll pull my air cleaner and have someone here after lunch Friday.....Thanks! Don.

 

I'm as happy as a slinky on an escalator.

you'll see an adjuster behind it, which requires a spanner wrench (or pair of needle nose) to turn. That adjustment should be turned clockwise until tight, then backed off 1/2 inch counterclockwise

 

I tightend mine up a few days after I bought my jeep years ago, then did it again cause it got worse, then again and on the third time it started to get notchy and scary driving so I backed it off. Just put in a remaned box from autozone $128 and it drives like new nice and smooth and responsive.

Just sayin.


oh and Im talking about the nut on top the the slotted rod, I just used a regular open end wrench and screwdriver and did it mounted.