CrpMag122
1/2 ton status
I will second that. I am curious as to whether it will fix your issues.
CK5
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Large Tires Causing Excessive Steering Play (problem fixed)
- Thread starter 1-ton
- Start date
RubberFloorMat
1/2 ton status
Ok this is going to sound weird but you need to put it on the ground and have somebody turn the wheel back and forth as you watch every steering part. Everything seemed good but I had my 5 yr turn the wheel on my new to me 78 and discovered loose U bolts on the front end.
So you've done this and can SEE slip happening in the I-shaft? (Maybe I missed it). The best I-shaft in the world will show no improvement if that's not where the slip comes from. It can be spring bushings, U-bolts, center pins, drag link ends, tie rod ends, steering box, loose bolts, frame flex, etc and no web troubleshooting can give you the definitive answer.
Well I got an update. The Borgenson steering shaft was a waist of time. They do not bother to mention on their web site that their steering shafts only work with their steering column, and not the factory one. I ordered the Chevy Express Van one that user "skunked" suggested. Thanx to "skunked" for that suggestion. I am not sure what direction I would have to go in if he had not chimed in with that one. I ordered one from RockAuto for $125.
I did find one thing, while removing the factory steering shaft, that could be the problem. There is a flanged bearing at the bottom of the steering column tube that centers the steering column shaft. It looks like that bearing slid down the steering shaft enough for the bearing flange to slip out, thus causing the steering column shaft to flop around on the inside of the steering column tube (at least I hope that is the problem). The entire front suspension and steering on this truck are brand new. If I listed every part I replaced on the front end of this truck it would be 100 words long.
I did find one thing, while removing the factory steering shaft, that could be the problem. There is a flanged bearing at the bottom of the steering column tube that centers the steering column shaft. It looks like that bearing slid down the steering shaft enough for the bearing flange to slip out, thus causing the steering column shaft to flop around on the inside of the steering column tube (at least I hope that is the problem). The entire front suspension and steering on this truck are brand new. If I listed every part I replaced on the front end of this truck it would be 100 words long.
There was a thread here awhile back about replacing that bearing with one available at a Jeep dealer...my '82 pickup has some slop at that bearing too,and at the upper flex joint on the steering shaft...tempted to go get a cherokee steering shaft with u-joints for it..
Ned Kelly
1/2 ton status
I'd be interested to hear how the Chev Express van steering shaft goes in.
I also need to replace this steering part this fall.
Please keep us posted bro.
I also need to replace this steering part this fall.
Please keep us posted bro.
I got the Chevy Express steering shaft in, and it does not fit the early model 36 spline input shaft steering box I have. I am going to have to change out steering boxes again for the 30 spline input shaft box because nobody makes anything for the old 36 spline boxes anymore. Changing out steering boxes in a pain in the @SS with all the steering box bracing and everything I have on this truck.
is there two different early boxes?
so does it just not fit?
I took the innards of an unknown year and stuck them in my 78... couldn't get my 78 gear box lines off.... and I have all kinds of wondering... albeit I'm used to it but still...
looks like the duke boys going down the road..
I took the innards of an unknown year and stuck them in my 78... couldn't get my 78 gear box lines off.... and I have all kinds of wondering... albeit I'm used to it but still...
looks like the duke boys going down the road..
ORD web site lists two different boxes.
1967-1976 36 spline (which is what my box is)
1977-1991 30 spline (the only difference between some of the 30 splines is the hose type fittings)
Interesting. I wonder why the hell my XJ shaft wouldn't fit (too small) but the express did.
fyi stupid reply by me.. was needed as I haven't had one in a while..
wanted to let yall know that the nut on a dana 60 pinion is the same thread as the steering shaft threads... so my drop pitman arm is held on with that... LOL... I dunno why I just remembered using that but I did...
wanted to let yall know that the nut on a dana 60 pinion is the same thread as the steering shaft threads... so my drop pitman arm is held on with that... LOL... I dunno why I just remembered using that but I did...
I got another steering box with the 30-spline input, and test fitted the Chevy Express van steering shaft. It fit...no problem. I wonder why people buy the XJ jeep shaft because of all the hassle with heating up the shaft, in order to melt down the plastic clip retainers. With the Chevy Express Van steering shaft you do not have to mess with any of that. It is going to take a little while for me to get all that stuff bolted up.
sweet... glad your ready to go...
I bought my xj shaft all set to go.. I didn't have to heat anything up...
just remove rag joing
grind U into steering column shaft for bolt
stretch shaft and install....
tighten bolt on gearbox side
install bolt/nut and tighten on steering wheel... viola done...
it took me literally 10 minutes... so that is why I did it...
sweet... glad your ready to go...
I bought my xj shaft all set to go.. I didn't have to heat anything up...
just remove rag joing
grind U into steering column shaft for bolt
stretch shaft and install....
tighten bolt on gearbox side
install bolt/nut and tighten on steering wheel... viola done...
it took me literally 10 minutes... so that is why I did it...
It is removing the current steering box on my truck, and installing the new one that is going to take most of the time. I have to get the pittman arm of the old one, remove some of the steering box bracing, remove steering hoses, reinstall everything, and then bleed the system. The steering shaft will be the easy part of the job.
The Chevy Express steering shaft is installed. I also had my truck aligned because of the new tires (IROK 36/13.50/16 BIAS PLY), and the new ORD cross-over steering and new ORD tie-rod and ends. My truck still handles like crap! I think the new tires are too big and heavy for conventional power steering system. My truck is all over the road, and will not steer straight down the road for nothing. I have gone over every thing in the suspension and steering system, and I cannot find a thing wrong with it. When the truck is at idle, and I am trying to steer the truck, the power steering goes away completely. The power steering pump is new, and I am on the third steering box.
Those tires can certainly be at fault BUT they aren't necessarily big and definitely not guaranteed to drive poorly simply because they're bigger than stock. My Blazer has unbalanced 43's and drives smooth and straight with no wandering.
With all the new parts listed I'd look (again) at the frame, caster, spring bushings, etc.
What type of alignment did they do?
King pin conditions?
With all the new parts listed I'd look (again) at the frame, caster, spring bushings, etc.
What type of alignment did they do?
King pin conditions?
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CrpMag122
1/2 ton status
Yeah, something is a miss somewhere. I am running 37" tires with zero issues as far as going straight. The issues I had initially was due to the long soft springs flexing side to side a fair amount while trying to turn the large tires, but nothing when going straight. I don't know how many times you have tried to have everything aligned but I would check it yourself using the jackstand and string method to see what the measurements are.
I am going to check my king pins to make sure the springs are not loaded too much with a some of washers that I put into them. If they are loaded to tight, then they could be resisting turning smoothly. If you guys are running bigger tires than I am with no problem, then there has to be something wrong with my truck. The alignment was just a toe and go. They said the caster and camber was pretty good for a Dana-60 that has limited adjustment ability in that area.
