What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Steering gear output shaft play

mofugly13

mofugly13

1 ton bucket of rust
 Premium
Joined
Oct 6, 2002
Posts
2,867
Reaction score
26
Location
San Francisco
Is there any play allowed on the output shaft of a power steering gear? While changing tre’s, I noticed that I could rotate the pitman arm back and forth, with about 1/16” of movement on the end of the arm. My understanding is that the gears use a ballscrew assembly which should have no play at all.
 
There are bearings in the snout of the steering box. Either those are worn or the shaft is worn. Should be pretty tight and not be able to be moved by hand.
 
The nut and stud on the top cover, (the aluminum one) is to adjust the sector shaft to the worm gear rack. The stud is threaded in the cover. Try holding the stud with an allen wrench, then loosen the nut, turn the stud clockwise to drop the sector shaft down. I would start with a 1/2 turn. Then lock it down and test drive. See if you feel a difference. I am assuming that you hooked up the steering and can't just wiggle the pitman arm now.
There is supposed to be slight drag on the input shaft while turning through the center of travel, but I don't think that you will be able to feel it when the truck is running. It's like 11in/lbs with the pitman arm disconnected. If you get to where there is no more stud sticking out of the adjuster jam nut, the it's time for a new steering gear.
 
I understand how to adjust sector shaft engagement. But I also understand that to do it properly, the steering gear should be out of the vehicle, in a vise. I really just need to know if any play is acceptable in that output shaft.
 
I have seen a small amount of play in the output shaft and things are still good as far as the seal holding and no problems while driving. The bottom of the box has a roller bearing which will have a little bit of clearance to the shaft. It has to have room for thermal expansion.
I don't know how to determine how much is too much in that application.
 
mofugly13 said:
Is there any play allowed on the output shaft of a power steering gear? While changing tre’s, I noticed that I could rotate the pitman arm back and forth, with about 1/16” of movement on the end of the arm. My understanding is that the gears use a ballscrew assembly which should have no play at all.
Click to expand...
I don't think 1/16" is too much at the end of the arm, but most of the ones I have are no more than a 1/32"
As others stated bearing on the output shaft could be a little worn, and maybe a little play at the gear.
I would not worry too much about what you have
 
mofugly13 said:
I understand how to adjust sector shaft engagement. But I also understand that to do it properly, the steering gear should be out of the vehicle, in a vise. I really just need to know if any play is acceptable in that output shaft.
Click to expand...

You DO NOT need to remove the steering gear in order to adjust the sector shaft. The more play there is the more play there is in the steering wheel before movement begins. The adjustment MUST be made with the steering gear centered in the middle of it's travel otherwise you can and probably will blow the top cover apart.
 
4X4HIGH said:
You DO NOT need to remove the steering gear in order to adjust the sector shaft. The more play there is the more play there is in the steering wheel before movement begins. The adjustment MUST be made with the steering gear centered in the middle of it's travel otherwise you can and probably will blow the top cover apart.
Click to expand...

So how do you adjust it correctly on the truck?
 
Thanks for the replies. I have to admit that I'm hunting for a fix for death wobble on a 99 WJ. But other off road forums seriously lack on knowledge and intelligent answers compared to CK5. I've changed TREs, wheel hub bearings and ball joints and still have the DW. I honestly think it's due to caster angle. But I'm replacing worn parts hoping to stop it. Now, im going to post here in the Garage about offset ball joints for the same vehicle. On the jeep forums my question has been met with crickets....
 
mofugly13 said:
Thanks for the replies. I have to admit that I'm hunting for a fix for death wobble on a 99 WJ. But other off road forums seriously lack on knowledge and intelligent answers compared to CK5. I've changed TREs, wheel hub bearings and ball joints and still have the DW. I honestly think it's due to caster angle. But I'm replacing worn parts hoping to stop it. Now, im going to post here in the Garage about offset ball joints for the same vehicle. On the jeep forums my question has been met with crickets....
Click to expand...
I answered the other thread but I will say this here death wobble gets thrown on so many different symptoms that no 2 people agree what it is.
Is it like the caster wheels on a shopping cart that shakes side to side like a fish tail, or is the truck wobbling from side to side like it's going to flip over if it continues?
I have had both and they are not the same cause
 
It's like it's going to shake itself apart. Side to side shaking. It only stops when slowed to 5 mph.
 
imiceman44 said:
Center the steering box, should be pretty close to straight tires and adjust
Click to expand...

I used to think that, and adjusted many that way. Get one on the bench with all fluid out of it, and you will see how precise the adjustments actually are. I do agree that if one is really loose, small adjustments will probably help, but pretty much impossible to get it set up correctly in the truck.
 
As always CK5 delivers. Thanks fellas. I think my plan will be to install the offset ball joints. And then plan on going with adjustable control arms in the future. And I'll keep the chicken eye on that steering box. This WJ isnt meant to crawl, it's supposed to be an all around trail rig.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom