rag joint + steering question...

[dsmd58]

so my steering wheel turns with waaaayyy too much play before the wheels move...i checked the frame for cracks, which there werent any (whew)..

so im looking into buying a new 2wd steering box and parts for a crossover setup, my question is....does the rag joint have anything to do with loose steering, and if it does how can i tell?

thanks for all your help in advance!

 

[Muddytazz]

Have someone turn the wheel back and forth so you can look under the front and see where the slop really is.

 

[jor]

The rag joint is a common cause of sloppy steering. Like the other poster suggested, watch it while someone turns the steering. I'm thinking they are $40 to $60 or so.
jor

 

[y5mgisi]

I just did the jeep xj steering shaft upgrade and can honestly say that it made a big difference in highway driving! I recomend it becasue it does away with the "spongy" rag joint.

 

[dsmd58]

thanks for the quick replys, i will take a closer look....and search the board for the xj shaft too! i completely forgot about that one!

 

[k20]

I can say the XJ upgrade is a good piece. My drag link ends are new, tie rod ends new, new steering box, and I put on the XJ shaft. The XJ shaft made about as much difference as the new draglink ends which were 100% shot.

The thing is there was no visible play in my rag joint. I was very suprised/pleased.

 

[lak2004]

x100 on XJ steering shaft swap! It is cheap and very easy to do with normal hand tools and grinder. Helped my steering out so much.

 

[sarasotausmc]

x whatever on the XJ steering shaft swap. They are easy enough to get from the junkyard, and will fix alot of slop that you have. My ragjoint always looked "good enough", but after the swap, it proved to me that it wasn't.

You could also check that the bolts are tight on the steering box. Another thing I had overlooked until I had someone look while I turned the wheel.

 

[pauly383]

The rag joint does give some play . But keep in mind , even with the solid shaft , new box , frame fix , brace , crossover , and a new pump with hoses . There will be a little play . Its recirculating ball steering

 

[Jrgunn5150]

The rag joint does give some play . But keep in mind , even with the solid shaft , new box , frame fix , brace , crossover , and a new pump with hoses . There will be a little play . Its recirculating ball steering

Very true, and I know you said you did, but look very closely for play in the box as they actually get loose on the frame also.

 

[dsmd58]

Thanks again for all the help guys!

 

[ChickenRammit]

the play you're looking for will most likely be in the steering box or in the ball joints.

 

[dsmd58]

found the play....a worn out pitman arm...just bought a new one, gonna pick it up and put it in today..