I ran Odessa/Doran last weekend and after researching on this site and tearing my jeep apart, it appears that I had bent my sector spline shaft. It is not broken, so I can drive it until I change it out, but i imagine it will break when I wheel hard. I was wondering what others have done to prevent this from happening. Is there an upgraded box that I can buy with a stronger shaft? Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
Steve

 

Steve- To make sure we are addressing the same issue I will describe the sector shaft. It comes out of the bottom of your steering box and the pitmam arm bolts to it by means of a large nut.... Is that what we are talking about here? If bent your steering wheel will be off center in the direction of the spline twist on the shaft. The best check for a bent sector shaft in your steering box is a lock to lock count of turns from steering wheel center. The bent shaft ''preloads the turning radius because of the twisted splines'' and causes the turning count to be short on that side. For example it will turn 3 1/2 turns one way and 2 1/2 the other. Nothing but a twisted shaft will cause this. You can recenter your wheel and drive the vehicle forever like this, in 35 years I've never seen splines twist off, but hard wheeling will cause it to move the splines more til the point of not being able to center the wheel anymore....Remember even with the wheel recentered the jeep steering will turn further one way than the other. You can probably order a reman box cheaper than you can get it fixed locally. A used box very easily could have the splines twisted already... The shaft has to be easier to bend than the bolts that hold the box to the frame are to break off, if not a hard lick would break the box off the jeep. This way the jeep still operates, even badly...Best of luck to ya!!!!

 

Yes, Thats the exact problem. I guess a bent spline shaft is better than ripping the box off the frame.

 

Daggone Tinman, what an excellent description!

 

Darn right. He's a professional. Whatchya expect??? All that I can add is that the sector shaft will very likely NOT break, even if it is hit again. It is made from cold rolled steel and made to bend, as TINMAN described.

 

would th psc steering kit help? i herd that it worked fine on auto's but not on manuals. it would ease the stress on the steering box/shaft.
http://www.quadratec.com/products/56112_6006.htm

 

I am glad that I shouldn't worry about it breaking. I will still need to change the box though, because the shaft is bent in a manner that caused my steering wheel to turn 180 degrees. I can adjust it enough to get my jeep to turn left again, but the steering wheel is still about 45 degrees to the left so it makes my ESP go nuts. If only I bent it a little less, I could get my steering wheel straight. Thanks for all the info.

The PCS steering kit seems a little pricey for now (I would rather dump that money into a good lift kit and tires). I think that I will just go with another stock box for now, unless anyones has another suggestion.

Thanks for the info.
Steve

 

Would the Sectoe Shaft Brace from ORE help?

http://www.offroadevolution.com/stor...?prod=EVO-1015
I certainly don't understand how it works.

Is there anything else we can do to beef up our steering?

 

That looks like a reasonably priced option to my problem, although I am not sure how it works either.
Thanks
Steve

 

Steve- if you change your box yourself there are a couple of things you need to watch for- (1) count the turns both ways and center your steering wheel by the COUNT. This assures your air bag clock spring is centered BEFORE disconnecting the steering shaft. Then take a nylon bungee cord, wrap the wheel and hook the cord to the seat tracks so the wheel CANNOT turn while you have the box out. (2) After removing your box, remove and install the pitman arm on the new box, and manually center the box in the center position,( turn the splined end and count again.) Install the box to the column shaft, leaving the shaft unturned until the installation is finished. Hook up the drag link, etc., and tighten everything twice, making sure to use new cotter keys if needed. After everything is together, make sure the wheel is straight ahead. Walk in front of the Jeep and observe the front wheels. If your steering knuckles are not bent, they will look fairly parallel. If you have a bent knuckle, it will probably be toed in on that one side. If the knuckle is not too bad, you can adjust it out with the tie rod end. If not, you will need to replace it. NEVER NEVER straighten a cast iron suspension part, this will crystilize the metal and it will break down the road. Bleed your new box by turning lock to lock at idle, Don't hold it against the stops when bleeding, this can blow the seals. Get it aligned on a machine and you are good to go. Best of Luck!!!