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Anyone experience tighter steering feel after steering brace?

y5mgisi

y5mgisi

1 ton status
Joined
Aug 11, 2002
Posts
17,148
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Location
Portland Oregon
My steering feels loose on the burb but everything is tight. I suspect the frame might be flexing from years of abuse. There are no cracks around the frame. Would it be reasonable for me to suspect that a weld in/bolt in brace would firm up the feel? Thanks!
 
Did you do the XJ shaft on that truck?

On my old Jimmy there were a couple of things I found that firmed up the steering feel. A big change was a new drag link assembly, both ends and the clamps/screw/adjuster. The bolt in brace also helped.
 
yep. i replaced my gearbox, did the XJ shaft, weld in and bolt in braces, the steering is super tight. almost too touchy at times, especially on new tires.
 
Yes I did do the xj shaft. This is a second steering box that feels exactly like the first one. It felt good when I first got the truck years ago. But then I wheeled it a lot and I feel like I worked rivets and crossmemebers loose or something. Cause after I lifted it, and then un lifted it, it's always felt like poo since.
 
All my ends are tight. It just feels like there is a spring between the steering wheel and box. The truck goes down the road pretty good. It's just when you do start to wonder and you go to correct it its like, you can feel the pressure, but the wheels don't follow along for a bit. Then when they do and you correct back to center it's like they lag following back to center also. It's strange. Not crazy bad, but like a say, feels like the steering shaft is made of spring steel almost.
 
Have someone turn the wheel back and forth with the truck idling. You watch every moving part, and the parts that aren't supposed to move. I think you're gonna see your box move some...

I also think you may have cracked frame.

Oh yeah, I recall having steering box bolts come loose on me at one point. Check em.
 
I had a similar feel in my steering wheel before I put my bolt on brace on. My frame was broke at one time and had been welded and I added a weld on brace. Still wasn't right. When turning the wheel back and forth I could see that whole section of frame twist with the steering gear. Added the bolt on brace and no more twist.

And if you cant find anybody to help turn the wheel snap a pair of vice grips on the steering shaft with the hood open and you can watch while you turn:waytogo:
 
original non cracked frame in 1/2 ton with 1tons and 38" tsl swampers .

did road test before and after with just bolt in ord brace.

all I can say is wow :eek1: worth every cent . :thumb:
 
I did the weld on plate, bolt on brace and XJ shaft all at the same time - dramatic difference in steering feel, way tighter now.
 
y5mgisi said:
Yes I did do the xj shaft. This is a second steering box that feels exactly like the first one. It felt good when I first got the truck years ago. But then I wheeled it a lot and I feel like I worked rivets and crossmemebers loose or something. Cause after I lifted it, and then un lifted it, it's always felt like poo since.
Click to expand...

It has always surprised me how much the crossmembers under the front of these things can move around(or let other stuff move around). I have bolted some, and welded some to stop the movement, and the difference in steering feel can be huge. Alot of times just tightening the engine crossmember can make a huge difference.
 
The bolt in brace alone, with a non cracked frame, will noticeably tighten up your steering feel. Not night and day, but definitely noticeable.

You still have an old rag joint in there?!?!

I can't believe that. Toss a bolt in brace in there, and get a XJ shaft. Even if that doesnt' solve your problem, you'll be miles ahead.
 
Xj shaft

Could someone please tell me exactly which vehicles I can get the XJ shaft out of? I am totally Jeep illiterate!
 
Thanks for the replies guys! I'll get the bolt on brace ordered up soon! I have had my wife work thewheel back and forth while eexamining t
All the parts. That's how I discovered a drag link end was worn. I replaced it with almost no difference in steering feel. I do have an xj shaft already. So I'm good there. Also I just replaced the steering box with a different one and checked for cracks while it was off and there were no cracks. Also I really wrenched down on the bolts when I put thenew bbox in as I had heard of them working loose.
 
y5mgisi said:
Thanks for the replies guys! I'll get the bolt on brace ordered up soon! I have had my wife work thewheel back and forth while eexamining t
All the parts. That's how I discovered a drag link end was worn. I replaced it with almost no difference in steering feel. I do have an xj shaft already. So I'm good there. Also I just replaced the steering box with a different one and checked for cracks while it was off and there were no cracks. Also I really wrenched down on the bolts when I put thenew bbox in as I had heard of them working loose.
Click to expand...

Good plan. I've got a reman delco box sitting at home to install next week. ALL my steering components are new, and my steering is really loose now.

Box just has tons of slop.

Ive heard bad things about all the reman boxes, but it was my only reasonable option, so i decided to give it a try.

Only like $200. I'll let you know how it works out.
 
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