Steering Shaft Swivel Joint

[80CJ]

O.k. so it's been a while since I've posted up but here's my dilemma and I'm sorry if it sounds messed up. I'm trying to solve a problem from 2200 miles away. The steering shaft on the CJ is loose. Here's the design. We have shaft with splines that comes through the firewall and then has a swivel joint that slides on those splines and bolts up. There is also a slip joint at the bottom. My old man says the slip joint is fairly tight but the swivel (kind of like a u joint just with pins and doesn't look to be rebuildable unless you get creative) is very loose. Does anyone know how to solve this problem or where to get a replacement shaft? I hate to say this but the shaft is not out of a CJ. Whoever owned it before us had some type of debauchery performed on it and also put a no CJ box on it. Anything would be helpful.    Thanks.    Allen

[yjpaul]

i cant help you out, but i can tell you i feel your frustration.  When i bought my YJ, i didnt notice until i barely made it home that someone went "redgreen" allover the damn thing.  But the biggest thing is they used duct tape to attach the upper steering arm, to the lower, because the slip joint wasnt long enough to attach.  Took me about two days of hard hammering to lengthen the shaft.

If you really need a new shaft, sadly, very sadly, you may have to go to jeepstuff, and buy one.  You may have to sell half your family, cause they will charge you up the ying yang for anything these days.

[Spinalguy]

That shaft sounds very similar to the one in my 97 TJ. i also had problems (after Tellico) and replaced the entire unit.
Maybe measure it and go to a Chrysler dealership to compare?
Try comparing both 4 and 6 cyl TJ's.
Tom

[Bnine]

If its still here, I'd get your dad to take it over to DSI Al. They will be able to build a replacement that will match regardless of what it came out of.

Or if you dont want new, they will likely be able to recognize what its out of. Which will give your dad an idea on what type of donor vehicles to look for at the wreckers.

My guess is something chevy, and common, like mid 70 to early 80 pickups. Most of the times when people swap in parts into old rigs like yours, they go for common junkyard stuff to make part sourcing the easiest.

good luck

[80CJ]

Thanks for the input. Yeah from what we could tell the steering box is off an old chevy car of some sort. Jeep stuff has the CJ shaft but that won't fit our box so that means replacing, box, lines, and shaft. trying to keep it low bujdet but not Redgreen either.

[bae146]

DSi did mine on my scrambler.  Best way to go.  If you are a member of the club you get a discount as well.  Go new you will be happy you did.  Stearing and brakes are the two things not to mess with >>>>>>>

[redbull]

Something like this?
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/steer/borgesoncj/

[80CJ]

Yes something like that.