RacerX

Thanks for the reply ... but

Um, no ... not jumped, PO'ed ..as in Previous Owner eithe replaced the steering box, tried to or steering column ..?

either way, the steering SHAFT and internal mechanicals, wiring, etc. is turned about 300* off of straight.

the steering knuckles, tie rods, linkage is straight (now that I fixed it right) with 1/8" toe-in (for now - trying to track straight).

I have about equal turns left and right maximum turning.

BUT, Wheel is 3/4 upside-down, AND I cannot get the blinkers to stay on while driving straight because the steering shaft is turned (not just the wheel)

So ... what I need to do is turn the shaft & wheel (together) and re-attach to the steering gear box (or somehow change the relationship between the steering shaft alignment and the steering gear box alignment)

How can I disconnect the steering shaft from the gear box (preferably without unbolting the gear box from the frame-rail) ???

Please , Anyone?

XJwonders

nope u gotta unbolt it.

rcguymike

Unfortunately no, I was hoping it would still be warm once I received it (el nino and all that...lol) but it's barely above 30 for the next couple weeks and will probably only get colder. It was -40Fas high temp for almost a week last February. Maybe I could buy or rent a few propane heaters...maybe the powder coating quote will be do-able.

RacerX

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Ok. ..thanks for the reply(ies)

I'm gonna try 1 more thing .... try and loosen the firewall end of the steering shaft (bolt) probably won't work, but maybe worth a try ?? I just need 1/2" - maybe 3/8" more room. fingers X'ed

SatiricalHen

toe in has nothing to do with the drag link adjustment. You get the tie rod adjusted so the tires are where you want them, then you get the tires straight and turn the drag link adjustment till the steering wheel is straight. Thats what I do at least and every YouTube video I've ever seen on diy alignment.

RacerX

Yeah, I know.

...and yes I've re-aligned this thing like 5 times - but it would always end up pulling to the right, that is until I did just the right to left centering _---adjusting the Drag link properly - so that straight ahead is in the center of the steering wheel travel.
now I have equal turns left and right ...AND the thing drives straight when I let go!

However now the steering shaft is not straight ... I guess I can live with it --- At least it steers straight AND turns equally left and right.

SatiricalHen

I see, there's a lot of things that could affect that. Maybe he did the steering shaft, maybe he did the pitman arm, maybe he did the steering wheel. Who knows.

Crash_Course

Does it have an adjustable track bar or possibly a bent stock track bar? If the axle is not centered under the vehicle it can cause your steering wheel to be off-center when the tires are pointed straight ahead, regardless of how perfectly aligned it may be.

Rogue4x4

I second this.

J3ff3ry_J33pst3r

today, as the odometer rolled-past 363,736 miles , I FINALLY installed that one last part that just nags and nags at yer mind... that has pestered me (and I'd put-off time and time again for no particular reason ) for over 3 years now - particularly since just recently at 363,500 miles, I had replaced the original stock radiator ,put-in new hoses, flushed at the engine block & redid all of the coolant system - but just never bought this thing because somehow it even still seems so overpriced) ; yeah, you brothers of the XJ world know that lil' b*stard I talk about; the freakin' fan-shroud.
After as much heat soaking and continuous oil-baths ,mud drenching and doin its job for over 365k, is it a surprise it basically crumbled off 3 yrs back as i was replacing motor mounts ?

anyway, my temps never got outta control but it's important to have proper air flow in direction it is designed to flow to properly cool the engine. I suppose the lil' XJ deserves it.....





so glad the whole cooling system refurbish has been completed. the shroud was the final piece...



I did notice one thing; the cool little serpentine belt routing pattern sticker that is on the OEM shroud ( which, this is the Mopar replacement) is not on the new that arrived ..I will have to transplant her...

a_shirey

Your jeep is extremely clean for 365k miles.

RacerX

Brand-new (3-4 months ago) Stock track-bar.

I believe the Previous Owner replaced something. e.g. steering gear box, steering column ..? then neglected to put it on straight, so instead just did the toe-in, then turned the drag-link adjustment until the wheel Looked straight.
That's my guess, anyway ... :-/

PS, Thanks for all the replies

SG Mason

OK I did a little quick reading on the 1998 FSM, I know you are not driving a 98, but it shouldn't be much different. The steering column to steering gear has a keyed connection, as in a master spline, so they can only go together one way.

It does appear that the pitman arm and steering wheel are not keyed and could be put on crooked. With the wheels pointed forward check t see if the pitman arm is straight. If it is the steering wheel is the problem.

I will look into it more when I get home, but for now I need to head off to work. Adjusting the drag link should only change the way the steering wheel points and nothing else.

wauto

Removed my headliner. Couldn't stand the fabric hanging down against my stocking cap. Now the chore of cleaning it up and gluing new material on it. Hope it goes in as easy as it fell out.

ehall

rotated tires, hoping to do some more