Steering help

[SteveZ]

Alright, I know I'm being a PITA but you guys have been great helping me out and I will ask the experts here another question.

The PO replaced the steering wheel. A total bubba job too. I want to get it back to original. Other than the steering wheel itself what parts will I need to order?

Thank you so much!!!!

Photos:

[F Bill]

Wow, that is going to be pretty involved....Complete column assembly with the steering box, drag link, bellcrank bracket and bell crank assembly, and all the linkage, probably.  Might be more economical to stick with the GM setup and just add a vintage looking steering wheel from a hot rod supplier. Looks like you have a fairly well done Saginaw setup, which is a good upgrade for a driver jeep.

[garage gnome]

Yeah, like Bill said, you need a complete stock setup. Looks like a ton of work to convert it back.

[SteveZ]

Any idea on what vintage steering wheel I would need? What do I search for? The current one has so much slop in the wheel itself left, right, up & down it scares the hell out of me. Almost as if a bushing or something is missing in the column.
It is however a one finger turner and requires very little effort left to right.
Should I pull it and count splines and try to order from there? I'm really sorry for the questions but I've never even heard of Saginaw! He'll, I just thought the steering wheel itself was changed. That's how little I know.

Again, Thank you!

[johnnybravo]

Maybe buy a frame to get all the OE stuff if you want original jeep. Has you front cross member been cut?  A little bit of anything between that U-joint and frame could
lock your steering. Could you post pics of the rest of the steering system?

[F Bill]

Yeah, I saw that space underneath the steering wheel, and thought you probably had a pretty sloppy column....It's just worn, and can be rebuilt. It is a fairly common problem, especially with the tilt columns...I'd start by Googling  GM steering column rebuild , and check out the hot rodding sites like the HAMB to see if anyone has done a how to on your particular column .  If you wanted a more vintage looking steering wheel, again, look for an aftermarket wheel to fit a 70's GM car... Are there any identifying makers marks on the column or wheel anywhere?

Take a few good pictures of the rest of the steering for us...make sure the box is mounted securely to the chassis, no cracks in the frame rail where it mounts.

I'm not a Saginaw steering expert, all mine are stock. However there are members here who have done the conversion.

[Mike S]

I have seen Saginaw conversions (if that is what you have) that utilized the stock steering column and steering wheel. This is done with a fitting on the firewall in the engine compartment that accepts and braces the stock column, but the stock column is cut and a CV joint and steering rod link the steering column to the saginaw box. Looks stock from the outside... with the exception of the Saginaw box hanging down in front. With this set up you could probably also get the stock horn button to work.

I suspect that you could do this without replace the entire steering system. With the set up in the photos, I suspect that you do NOT have the stock Ross steering box and drag link. So this might be the best option.

[athawk11]

I just did what you are contemplating.

The hard to find stuff�

-The Ross steering box. (Try to find it with the triangular shim retainer bracket on top.)
-The inner worm gear shaft.

Not as hard to find�

-Outer column tube (There is a slight difference between the 2A and 3A)
-Outer tube clamp� (Holds the outer tube to the Ross box.
-Two part column to dash mounting brackets.

Easy reproduction stuff to find at all good vendors�

-Pitman Arm
-Bell Crank and hardware
-Ross Box rebuild kits
-Steering Wheel
-Horn button hardware
-Drag Link and rebuild hardware.

If the tie rods and tie rod ends are in need of replacement, these are also readily available.
If the bell crank mounting bracket was messed with, you should be able to find this too.

Tim

[SteveZ]

Looks like too much work and expense to convert back to original.

From the looks of it I beleive it is a 70's era GMC column and wheel. 3/4" 36 spline.

Would the following Wheel work?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200353369_200353369

I know it needs rebuilt to get the play out but I'd like to eradicate that steering wheel as soon as I can.

[Mike S]

Steve -- that tractor wheel on NorTool would certainly be in the spirit of an old Jeep... but you should determine the stop to stop turns before you go to a big (16" - 17") wheel. Might be too much leverage?

[F Bill]

I like the idea of a more original style column with a new coupler to fit what you have.. If you want to go really fancy, check out the Ididit line of custom steering columns, and you can get a column with a locking wheel, turn signals, four way flasher, etc built in.

[Lee]

There is a company called (I think) flaming river that makes all of what you need for the hotrod industry, nothing wrong with what you have if it's cleaned up and tightened up. good luck with it!

Lee

[garage gnome]

The easiest thing to do is find a column from a 72-75 CJ. It has the old look, but uses a saginaw box, so no fussing around with putting an end on the column. Thats what I use in my trail jeep.

[SteveZ]

Here are some more pictures. Unable to identify what these wheel/column came out of to look for rebuild kits or wheel replacement.

[SteveZ]

The horn cover part number comes up as a 74-75 GMC.

I am still unable to remove the wheel. What am I missing? I took the nut off but this collar seems to be holding it on?

More pics.