CJ Steering Adventures

[cjshag]

I'm 95% finished with my '80 CJ-7 and am finally on the road some. But my steering seems too loose and it is down right scary on the highway! I know CJ's are not known for their highway manners but mine seems down right dangerous. My Jeep has a power steering unit from a '79 CJ. I have a Borgson steering shaft, sway bar and polyurathane bushings up front. She rides on 33" BFG's and I have Rancho shocks with a 2.5" softride suspension.
The power steering box is leaking fluid out the back so I need to change it out. Could the internals be worn out causing my vague and loose steering? Does anyone run the AGR Super Box 2? The Super Box 1 ratio seems too quick for the road. Or is a rebuilt stock box the best?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Does it have stock axles? Have you had your caster checked?

I'd get a rebuilt stock box.

 

[cjshag]

The axles are stock. Years ago I installed a pair of degree shims in the front after putting on a set of Dessert Steel shackles(lift @1-1.5"). At that time I ran a manual steering box. I wore out one manual box before my Jeep rebuild. At rebuild time I went to power steering and removed the degree shims when I installed my suspension lift. I guess I removed them because I didn't see anyone else running them. My caster has not been checked. The Shims were installed upon recommendation of a Jeep mechanic.
I experience a "wandering " at highway speeds. If a vehicle passes I can get a temporary feeling of no control. Then I'm trying to correct my path without hitting the ditch. Maybe I've been driving a longbed truck too long!

 

[joejeepny]

Check if your shackle hangers that mount to the frame upfront are rocking when you turn the wheel. Common problem with CJ's. Weld them to the frame and it will take alot of play out of the wheel. Also poly shackle bushings help. Spring reversal works well on CJ's.