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steering pops and clunks

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47-old-red View Drop Down
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    Posted: 14 Nov. 2019 at 11:58pm
hi all

i have been chasing an issue (i think with my steering gear box) where i am feeling pops and clunks while operating the vehicle.

its erratic and does not happen all the time, or when the vehicle is in the air. only under load driving around.

i have opened and inspected the worm gear and it seems to spin true.
and i have gone back and forth on adjusting the steering sector tensioner.

i was able to adjust a lot of slop out of the steering, but it stil will build a little tension, and pop from time to time.....

can you recommend any content to troubleshoot this? i dont want to have to rebuild my steering box if i can help it... i cant even find a replacement box to order.

thanks!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jeeper50 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov. 2019 at 12:18am
One of the best ways I have found is to have a friend wiggle the steering wheel while you use your fingers to find any looseness or wear feeling for play between two parts as you work up or down the steering linkage. Just make sure your help moves it only when you tell them, so you don't get your fingers pinched. Verticle play in the bellcrank can cause a popping sound and excessive play in the steering. 

Adjusting the slop out of the gearbox is not recommended as the worn parts probably have steps or non contact areas and that can cause binding during driving. Not good during a test drive

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Flatfender Ben Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov. 2019 at 1:42am
If you can’t confirm it’s steering. 
You might consider knuckle knock. You may have a loose or busted front axle joint.  

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DMusil Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov. 2019 at 2:29am
Check to see if your pitman arm in pressed all the way on.
It can clunk on the engine block.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote calndrman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov. 2019 at 2:48am
There is a bearing at the top of the steering column. If the rollers get loose in the cage, it will bind and pop a little.  It can be intermittent and not happen all the time.  A fix requires pulling the steering wheel.  
Bruce
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 48willys Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov. 2019 at 3:28am
Get someone to shake the steering wheel while you check all the joints and mounting points for all the steering components. Mine was making a popping and I finally tracked it down to a cracked bell crank mount on the backside of the frame tube.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 47-old-red Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov. 2019 at 4:01am
Originally posted by calndrman calndrman wrote:

There is a bearing at the top of the steering column. If the rollers get loose in the cage, it will bind and pop a little.  It can be intermittent and not happen all the time.  A fix requires pulling the steering wheel.  



this sounds most like what i am feeling.....
do you have any pics of a link showing this "cage and rollers" ?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Richard J Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov. 2019 at 5:22am
make sure both ends of your drag link are adjusted correctly.
Richard
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Oilleaker1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov. 2019 at 12:28pm
If the ball ends on your bellcrank and pitman arm are worn flat on the sides of the ball, they can pop when they go over the ridge. Also check the drag link springs to see if they are broken. The bellcrank pin can wear and get "alligatored ". The knuckle bearings can also be shot. 

If you turn too sharp the bendix joints can bind and pop also. Lots to look at. Oilly
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SE Kansas 46 CJ-2A Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov. 2019 at 2:51pm
Originally posted by Oilleaker1 Oilleaker1 wrote:

If the ball ends on your bellcrank and pitman arm are worn flat on the sides of the ball, they can pop when they go over the ridge. Also check the drag link springs to see if they are broken. The bellcrank pin can wear and get "alligatored ". The knuckle bearings can also be shot. 

If you turn too sharp the bendix joints can bind and pop also. Lots to look at. Oilly


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smfulle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov. 2019 at 2:51pm
Originally posted by 47-old-red 47-old-red wrote:

Originally posted by calndrman calndrman wrote:

There is a bearing at the top of the steering column. If the rollers get loose in the cage, it will bind and pop a little.  It can be intermittent and not happen all the time.  A fix requires pulling the steering wheel.  



this sounds most like what i am feeling.....
do you have any pics of a link showing this "cage and rollers" ?

Here's a link to the shaft bearing that Walcks sells. In the picture it is hard to tell, but it is two piece kind of thing with ball bearings between the pieces.

Stan
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47-old-red View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 47-old-red Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Nov. 2019 at 11:59pm
ok well it sounds like its NOT the steering gear box based on what you guys are saying.....
i will have to park it in the dirt and have a friend turn the wheel lock to lock and see what i can find..... 

thanks!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bruce W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov. 2019 at 12:51am
Originally posted by 47-old-red 47-old-red wrote:

ok well it sounds like its NOT the steering gear box based on what you guys are saying..... 

It still could be. It could be a lot of things. It could be the horn brush at the lower end of the column. It could be the box loose on the frame. It could be the bellcrank bearings. It could be a cracked frame. It could be a broken spring. It could be a loose wheel. It could be a bad wheel bearing. It could be.........
  Take the advice that was given, get someone to help you, and find the problem. As I used to have to tell my customers, “It’s mighty hard to diagnose it over the phone, and even harder to fix it.”  BW
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RICKG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov. 2019 at 1:14am
Originally posted by Bruce W Bruce W wrote:

Originally posted by 47-old-red 47-old-red wrote:

ok well it sounds like its NOT the steering gear box based on what you guys are saying..... 


I As I used to have to tell my customers, “It’s mighty hard to diagnose it over the phone, and even harder to fix it.”  BW

Good luck getting someone on the phone..please leave a message after the tone, your call is important to us, we'll return your call when we get back from Jeepin..
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bruce W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov. 2019 at 1:18am
Originally posted by RICKG RICKG wrote:

Originally posted by Bruce W Bruce W wrote:

Originally posted by 47-old-red 47-old-red wrote:

ok well it sounds like its NOT the steering gear box based on what you guys are saying..... 


I As I used to have to tell my customers, “It’s mighty hard to diagnose it over the phone, and even harder to fix it.”  BW

Good luck getting someone on the phone..please leave a message after the tone, your call is important to us, we'll return your call when we get back from Jeepin..

Or not...  Ouch    BW
It is NOT a Jeep Willys! It is a Willys jeep.

Happy Trails! Good-bye, Good Luck, and May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to You!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 47-old-red Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Nov. 2019 at 10:21pm
FOUND IT!!

turns out it was the front leaf spring bushing popping back and forth in the spring itself..... because the shackles are aftermarket (later style) garbage lol

glad its not the steering. everything there is overall good. just  a little sloppy in a couple spots
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cpt logger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Nov. 2019 at 4:08am
Thanks for the update.
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