XJ shaft mod....now a drag link issue pleasse coment. post #19

[bot0611]

Im changing my steering gear box and im stuck can remove the rag joint nor take the clamp of the steering boxes input pinion....whats the trick here..

thanks.

 

[blazinzuk]

Steering shaft should have a couple of plastic pins in it, I melt those out

 

[496truck]

Heat the collapsible shaft a bit with a propane/MAP gas torch. Just enough to let the shaft slide in. Heat the shaft while applying pressure on the rag joint end with a prybar.

 

[bot0611]

AHhh so thats it....Could i drill them off?? i dont git a torch

 

[badmix]

Yes you can drill them out, it doesnt take much.

 

[Fordum]

They are designed to sheer under an impact so the column can collapse and keep it out of your chest cavity.
So they are not very strong.

 

[bot0611]

Well i used a torch and then i drilled them and still the thing aint collapsing, has anyone just removed the steering gear and draglink and slide it off and then slide it on again?

 

[4X4HIGH]

Have you REMOVED the pinch bolt on the rag joint? If not that is why you can't get the rag joint off assuming you're trying to remove it from the splined shaft. The pinch bolt needs to be completely out.

 

[bot0611]

Damn no, i only loossed it and thought it would be good, ill try tomorrow i still need to get the pitman arm remover and other tools from god ol harbor freight.

Keep the advice coming firts time changing the steering gear...so i lack knowledge on it

 

[badmix]

Are you putting the rag joint back in? Now would be a good time to upgrade to the XJ shaft and since youll have the steering box out, you wont have to collapse it to install. This is a major upgrade to the rag joint and helps tighten up steering. And you can find a good used one for about 5-10bux and takes no time at all to install.

 

[bot0611]

Are you putting the rag joint back in? Now would be a good time to upgrade to the XJ shaft and since youll have the steering box out, you wont have to collapse it to install. This is a major upgrade to the rag joint and helps tighten up steering. And you can find a good used one for about 5-10bux and takes no time at all to install.

No i wanted to change the steering gear but only got the bolts loose and lossened what ever needed to get lossened, yeah i saw some threads regarding it but what year are the ones you guys use??

 

[Fordum]

Have you REMOVED the pinch bolt on the rag joint? If not that is why you can't get the rag joint off assuming you're trying to remove it from the splined shaft. The pinch bolt needs to be completely out.

X2
Like he said. That bolt is not just a pinch bolt, it actually fits in a groove and acts as a pin, which means it has to come all the way out.

 

[badmix]

No i wanted to change the steering gear but only got the bolts loose and lossened what ever needed to get lossened, yeah i saw some threads regarding it but what year are the ones you guys use??

Mid 90s. Jeep Cherokee XJs.

 

[496truck]

You don't need a pitman arm remover to get the pitman arm off the box. Remove the pinch bolt/nut and tap with a hammer, it'll come right off. It's not a fully splined shaft style arm, only splined on one section so there isn't much to bind it on there.

 

[bot0611]

Ok ok so i went fot the XJ steering shaft upgrade...

Went to a junk yard near my parens home town and mand there were a couple of shafts there just laying around waiting for me to pick the up i took 2 home cause i didnt take much cash and didnt know how much they would be..

BTW if anyone wants one PM me i can get some.

Anyways i took them from an 88 xj cherokee but one of them has a bit of a loose u joint can thoose be replace?????
Also any lock pins on thoose XJ shafts that i have to know about, im in no mood for that and dont want to breake open the cooler filled with beer

 

[4X4HIGH]

IIRC the u-joints in those shafts are non replaceable as they are crimped in if memory serves me right.

 

[bot0611]

Update.....melted the plastic thingys

Ok so got the shaft clean gave a good heat up wich i think i over did it cause i melted the little plastic thingys... so now what did i screw up??


Anyways grinded the interior of the steering wheel coupler a bit drilled a couple of holes used a chissel to open it a bit and wallahhh... it fits now now i only need the damn steering brace so i can bolt it up back together and then a new pump goes in.

 

[badmix]

You didnt screw anything up. Once you melt the plastic pins, the rest of it is just for the ride. It adds no function once the pins are busted or melted.

 

[bot0611]

Hey guys me again, i made time today so i can finish up the truck, and now i have an issue or so i think. ok so i got the steering box bolted up, the pitman arm is @90* compared to the frame and the i needed some adjustment on the draglink but i had to extend it a lot...

I have barely 1" of thread on the sleeves on both sides and i cant move the clamps any further apart, i dont know if this is ok or even safe. you guys tell me.

Thanks.

 

[tRustyK5]

Did you center the box?

Rene