steering question

[76K5]

Just bought a 1989 Jeep YJ, one ton axles, high steer, redneck ram with a GM steering box, my question is do steering boxes have centers, don't they have a worm gear inside that return it to center, I have adjusted the steering linkages and it still wants to go to the right. I was thinking about taking the steering arm of the box and moving it a couple of splines over to see if this corrects the steering problem, what yaw think. Thanks

Brad

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The steering box does not actually center the steering, the caster on the front axle does that. The first thing you need to do is measure your caster and toe in.

 

[76K5]

how would I go about measuring caster and toe in thanks

 

[76K5]

could I change this by adding shims underneath the front leafsprings, really don't know jack about steering sorry

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

To check the toe in:



Put a piece of tape in the middle of the tread on both front tires (lined up with the hub). Draw a vertical line in marker on each piece of tape. Measure the distance between the two marks. Now roll the truck forward or back until the pieces of tape are on the back side of the tires. Measure the distance between the two marks. The front measurement should be 1/16-1/8" smaller than the measurement on the back (i.e. tires toed in).

You will need to use an angle finder to determine your caster. Measure the angle of the kingpin caps. If your caster is off you can adjust it with shims.

 

[76K5]

where would I place the shims to correct the caster

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

where would I place the shims to correct the caster

The shims go between the leaves and the spring pad on the axle.

Check your numbers before you mess with anything.

 

[76K5]

what should the caster be, degree wise? Thanks

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

6 or so IIRC

 

[76K5]

6 degrees, what does IIRC mean, sorry I'm a newbie at steering geometry, thanks
Brad

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

6 degrees, what does IIRC mean, sorry I'm a newbie at steering geometry, thanks
Brad

If I remember correctly

 

[76K5]

If I remember correctly

now I really feel like a dumbass

 

[76K5]

its also go a high steer arm on it, the tie rod end that connects it will only go in to the high steer only about an inch, so the castle nut does not have enough threads to get a pin through it. it appears the tie rod end is beveled, do they sell smaller tie rod ends or do I need to drill out the high steer arm. Thanks

Brad

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Sounds like your high steer arm and tie rod end have different tapers.

You can either ream out the arm to the correct taper or find a smaller TRE.

Take it apart and make sure that the TRE and arm actually do have different tapers.