79 cj7 steering box

[Aaron S]

How much, if any, play is normal on what im calling the back side of the steering box. I've adjusted the adjustment screw on the top of the box which was a noticeable change. But where the steering shaft goes into the box I can grab with my hand and twist the shaft back and forth,as in turning left & right before the pit man arm moves. It just feels to loose to me.I am not sure if a new box would be tighter in this area? It does have power steering, and it had a hose diconnected from the box when I got it. For who knows how long? I bought this jeep a year ago as a project/toy and has been a project for sure. And I am finally trying to figure out this issue.
Thanks for any input.

 

[69jeepcj]

At the bottom of your steering shaft is a bell coupling right where it hooks to the steering box splines, they are natorious for going bad. It is a easy fix it that is the problem. can you grab your steering shaft down by the bell and move it around, side to side, up and down? Instead of a ujoint they used the bell coupling and basicly has four caps that you replace inside it. to replace it you have to take your steering shaft off and I think there is a clip holding it together and once removed they should just slide out. I can twist my steering shaft a bit in each direction too though.

 

[PoliceMonkey161]

Hey, I did a write up in "to how" section (Steering) about the upper bushing and lower coupling replacement for CJ's. It maybe helpful?

Also, if the hose was removed on your pump, hopeful the drive belt was removed. You may want to get the pump up and running before any serious driving. The P/S system ( as a whole) was not designed to work for extended periods without fluid flowing. The lower coupling is leak and relies on assistants from the pump to turn the wheels.

 

[Turbogus]

If you're trepidatious about tackling this yourself, I too a few years back had a leaky, loose saginaw steering box. Took it to what I heard was a stellar front end shop in the next town (Snyder's), and bringing along some swag from Sam's Offroad (Overgrown Pitman Arm and HD mounting bracket~they had no issue with shop policies installing customer carry in parts, great guys these) they rebuilt the box. When I got the CJ 5 back it steered like a sedan, crisp and steady, and it's been so for a couple of years now.