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XJ Steering Shaft Help!

nvrenuf

nvrenuf

Holy crap, it's running!
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I read the tech article and pulled a shaft from a 90 XJ (article says 88-92 are best years) but it wont fit. There is a flat spot inside the splined end for the steering box and it's roughly 90* off, anybody else had this problem? It appears that it would otherwise install but the steering wheel would be off. Did I miss something? :dunno:
 
It shouldn't be clocked any different. Wondering if your truck was out of adjustment/alignment to begin with? Can that 1/4 turn be made up in the adjustment between the pitman arm and steering arm?
 
Mine went on the box easy. The column was another story though, I had to spread the yolk on it and tap it on with a hammer. After I did, I realized the steering wheel was upside down in the truck...... :doah:and its not coming back off easily. The wheel is still upside down, I popped the horn button off and was gonna turn it around, but after taking the nut off, the wheel wouldn't come off the splines without a puller so I left it. You can turn it back right sides up this way right?
 
496truck said:
It shouldn't be clocked any different. Wondering if your truck was out of adjustment/alignment to begin with? Can that 1/4 turn be made up in the adjustment between the pitman arm and steering arm?
Click to expand...

You know, I hadn't thought about drag link adjustment. Everything is new and just eye balled straight. I'll try adjusting the d/l to move the pitman arm.

THANKS!
 
xCaliK5x said:
Mine went on the box easy. The column was another story though, I had to spread the yolk on it and tap it on with a hammer. After I did, I realized the steering wheel was upside down in the truck...... :doah:and its not coming back off easily. The wheel is still upside down, I popped the horn button off and was gonna turn it around, but after taking the nut off, the wheel wouldn't come off the splines without a puller so I left it. You can turn it back right sides up this way right?
Click to expand...

I know the column isn't keyed so the wheel will rotate wherever you want but I don't know if the turn signal cam will work right if it's 180* from original.
 
nvrenuf said:
I know the column isn't keyed so the wheel will rotate wherever you want but I don't know if the turn signal cam will work right if it's 180* from original.
Click to expand...

Oh, it still does, when I may a U turn! LOL.

I will flip it.

I got all metal shaft, I think it had an 85 or an 88 year date stamp with no plastic. I used the press here in the shop to collapse it about 3 inches for the right length. Steering is SO much better.
 
Wait a minute, help me out here...

I centered my steering box by turning to full lock then counting input shaft turns to the opposite full lock, cut that number in half and turned the box to that point. At this point the "flat" on the input was around 3~4 o'clock (from driver's seat perspective).

Iirc, my XJ shaft needs the flat to be at 6 o'clock.

If I adjust the drag link to move the flat spot to 6 o'clock, wont I lose turning radius in one direction? Or am I over thinking this?
 
This is how mine is oriented with the steering wheel straight and the box centered.

100_0025.jpg


I'm gonna go outside and look at where the flat spot sits.
 
Yeah my flat spot is at 6 oclock with the bolt vertical on the inside as pictured above. My column with the wheel straight is like this

100_0021.jpg



This is how the XJ shaft sits in the truck wheels straight.


DSCN3837.jpg





Are you sure the box is centered?
 
This makes me feel better 'cause I was wanting to be one of the cool kids with the shaft. :D
 
maybe i missed it, but why is everyone running these shafts? :confused: Seems like its pretty bolt in but a ltitle bit of hassle.
 
BoondocK5 said:
It gets rid of that pesky rag joint, that sits on top of the gear box.
Click to expand...

x2, which in turn eliminates one of the main causes of our sloppy steering, assuming your tie rod ends, drag link, ball joints, etc are in good shape.
 
I used a shaft from a 94. It was a simple install. I did grind a groove in the stub of the column for the bolt on the Xj shaft that tightens it down. The whole install took about 45min. Before the install I did issues with getting the xj shaft freed up. I finally seperated it and ground down the thick layer of paint then applied some never seize and put it back together. Now it slips in and out perfect.
 
this may sound like a dumb question, but did you guys install this after you got it at ride height? i'm assuming body lift is the only thing that would affect the steering shaft angle to the box right?

and did any of you guys have to re-mount your steering boxes?
 
you are correct...the body lift is the only other thing you would have that would change the "slip" of the steering shaft at all. it's really not too hard at all, and a GREAT mod in my opinion. the steering box does not need to be moved at all. it's literally a plug and play swap for the shaft(except for a little grinding with a dremel)
 
01maroonz71 said:
you are correct...the body lift is the only other thing you would have that would change the "slip" of the steering shaft at all. it's really not too hard at all, and a GREAT mod in my opinion. the steering box does not need to be moved at all. it's literally a plug and play swap for the shaft(except for a little grinding with a dremel)
Click to expand...

ok...cause i have a body lift under my truck (bought it like that) and want to take it out when i start my re-build for my suspension. Just wonder if that's gonna change the "angle" of the shaft or if that will even affect it that much...i think it's a 2-3" BL :( (Planning on a 2wd steering box)
 
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