Jeepwalker
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 857
- Location
- WI
Pretty much as the title suggests.
Always had a little free play at the steering wheel since I bought this H3 last spring. Nothing outrageous, about what you'd expect for the miles it has, but not as tight as I'd like it. I'm trying to wind the clock back on this 160k mile rig, tighten things up. I separated all the steering components and tested for wear (tested good), replaced upper balljoints (they WERE shot), rotated all the steering joints through their complete rotations to re-spread lubricant back into the joints. Replaced steering rack bushings. It appears the rack was replaced at some point but I have no idea when.
The intermediate steering shaft between the bottom of the steering column had most of the wear causing free play at the wheel. Replacing it tightened the steering right up! She drives like new now! No steering play whatsoever. Now we're talking! The wear from the shafts were divided up between the flexible coupler up top, and the sliding joint on the bottom shaft. The U-joints themselves seemed fine. I replaced both shafts with ones off ebay.
The quality was 'ok' but not perfect. Some niggling issues were: 1) It wasn't welded 'square' therefore I need to straighten out the wheels (to get the steering wheel straight), 2) The clamp that joins the two shafts wasn't exactly tight fitting, but it did snug the shaft enough to hold it secure. Other than that it was decent quality. Normally I buy Delco or GM parts, but there was enough price difference I thought I'd give this one a try. Price was $150 for both shafts (shipped). I hope it lasts ...otherwise I might be back to a Delco unit in the future. See how it goes.
Anyway, if you detect a minor amount of 'play' or looseness in your H3's steering wheel, put a vise grip around the steering rack shaft and rope it to the frame and if there's still some play, replacing the shafts might be a worthwhile move.
Always had a little free play at the steering wheel since I bought this H3 last spring. Nothing outrageous, about what you'd expect for the miles it has, but not as tight as I'd like it. I'm trying to wind the clock back on this 160k mile rig, tighten things up. I separated all the steering components and tested for wear (tested good), replaced upper balljoints (they WERE shot), rotated all the steering joints through their complete rotations to re-spread lubricant back into the joints. Replaced steering rack bushings. It appears the rack was replaced at some point but I have no idea when.
The intermediate steering shaft between the bottom of the steering column had most of the wear causing free play at the wheel. Replacing it tightened the steering right up! She drives like new now! No steering play whatsoever. Now we're talking! The wear from the shafts were divided up between the flexible coupler up top, and the sliding joint on the bottom shaft. The U-joints themselves seemed fine. I replaced both shafts with ones off ebay.
The quality was 'ok' but not perfect. Some niggling issues were: 1) It wasn't welded 'square' therefore I need to straighten out the wheels (to get the steering wheel straight), 2) The clamp that joins the two shafts wasn't exactly tight fitting, but it did snug the shaft enough to hold it secure. Other than that it was decent quality. Normally I buy Delco or GM parts, but there was enough price difference I thought I'd give this one a try. Price was $150 for both shafts (shipped). I hope it lasts ...otherwise I might be back to a Delco unit in the future. See how it goes.
Anyway, if you detect a minor amount of 'play' or looseness in your H3's steering wheel, put a vise grip around the steering rack shaft and rope it to the frame and if there's still some play, replacing the shafts might be a worthwhile move.
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