Rag joint questions

[chazer]

The steering in my jeep is really sloppy. I just put in a reman box which helped a little but not much. So i am trying to replace the rag joint and i have a couple of questions. First is it normal to have between an 1/8 and 1/4 revolution of play on the out put shaft of the sterring box that connects to the steering shaft. Secondly is the piece if the steering shaft that bolts to rag joint supposed to be flat? ( mine is curved like it has been bent around the rivet holes). Thirdly how do you disconnect the rag joint from the steering box. Do you loosen the u joint and if so how? i was looking at and the bolt head is toothed on one end and flat on the other.

thanks for the help

[Gil]

Mine is the same way. I was told that if you replace the box with an S-10 or Z28 box, it gets much better than a reman stock box. I was also told to get a replacement steering shaft with U joint, which eliminates the rag joint. BJs has the shaft for about $225.

I was thinking of getting a new box and rag joint, but if you say it didn't really help, I'm concerned. I thought that would be the fix and the steering shaft would just be icing (although, a friend replaced just the shaft...I drove it and it feels great). My PS box is seaping so I need a new one.

Hope someone can chime in who can actually help...unlike me

[chazer]

thanks for the reply. I figured out most of it. There is a u strap that holds it to the shaft coming out of the steering box the bolt head takes a 12point socket. Unfortunatley this didnt fix anything so i will be looking for a used column mine is tilt one and its shot. Also there is a c shaped cup brackett that bolts to the rag joint which is all bent so i need to find one of those and swap that out. At least that part will only take a couple mins know that i know what im doing.

[BarryL]

Have you guys checked out your front end components? Any of the tie rode ends can cause a "sloppy" feel.

[Gil]

Mechanic checked mine and said all is good up front.

[chazer]

no how do you check them?

[Wagonbeer]

Originally Posted by chazer

no how do you check them?

Grab each tie rod end and muscle it around. End play on mine was quite visible; especially the side missing the rubber boot. Sometimes you can remove the cotter pin and tighten it a bit. Do replace them when bad. A bad one on mine wore the steering knuckle, requiring washers to take up the slop.

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=145436
...and be done with it.

[talntar]

looking for a used column mine is tilt one and its shot

what makes you think it's shot