My current project car is a 1986 XJ-SC. This was a New England car with all the abuse from the winter road chemicals. Needless to say everything on the front ends has been rebuilt or replaced.

My problem is what feels like a bind in the steering. From driving straight head with minor corrections to stay between the white linesno problem. Everything feels good. When turningright or left, but more pronounced turning rightthere is a feeling that the linkage or something is binding. This causes me to put a little muscle into the effort to complete the turn.

On the lift, not running, the steering of course is harder to turn, but there is still a feeling like it is binding when operated through the full range (right or left).

I have replaced the Steering Rack, tie rods, Power Steering pump and the system bled per instruction. Also, the car has been aligned. With the car elevated and my partner turning the wheel with me underneath watching and listening, I see nothing out of place or hear any unusual noises.

The apparatus connecting the shaft to the steering rack appears to be goodno sign of wear or noise, and doesnt bind. I know there is one u-joint between the upper and lower steering shaft, but I have never heard of it going bad?

Any help, suggestion, or wild guesses, would be appreciated

Thanks,
Stumped in Viginia

Submitted by captnjake@comc… on Tue, 06/14/2011 - 10:14

Okayjust to close the loop. The lower section of the steering column can be removed without disassembling everythingwell almost everything! To get access, and enough space to horse the shaft around, you need to remove the oil filter, the driver side wheel, and the steering rack mounts. You dont have to disconnect the rack hydraulic lines, but you need to be able to lower the rack as much as possible.

Working from below and from the driverÔÇÖs side wheel well you can disconnect the lower steering shaft U-joint thingy. You can get access to the upper U-joint from the driverÔÇÖs compartment at the firewall. The shaft has splines to fit into the U-joints with a bolt to lock it in. When all is apart, wiggle the shaft forward and remove over the steering rack and out the front. It takes some strong words and patience, but it will come out.

The reassemble is just the reverse, but it is a two person job. One in the car guiding the shaft to the splines that line up with the bolt engagement on the upper U-joint and the other to wiggle the shaft into the correct position. It is very tedious, but possible. The lower U-joint thingy is visible from below and one person can line it up and connect it. Reconnect the steering shaft, put the wheel back on, and donÔÇÖt forget to replace the oil filter!

If you didnt move the steer wheel or steering rack around too much, everything should line and be good as new. Im happynow to the next issue!

Thanks for everyones input

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Fri, 05/20/2011 - 23:47

I think It comes out quite easily by undoing both joints, The whole shaft is available 0r you can serch around and rebuild just the joint.

Submitted by captnjake@comc… on Fri, 05/20/2011 - 11:44

OkayI started where the wheels met the road and worked back to the idiot turning the wheel...and success!

The doohickey that connects the steering shaft to the rack has two moving parts, an upper joint and a lower joint. The two joints are at right angles making it a U-joint that can compensate for variations in the length between the steering shaft and rack.

For me the lower of these two joint (the one connecting to the rack) is frozen (as in needing great effort to move). I suspect it is the result of New England road chemicals, exhaust heat, and neglect.

Now, the big questionplease tell me there is an easy way to remove the lower section of the steering shaft?

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Wed, 05/18/2011 - 17:23

Bruce, to narrow it down I would suggest disconnecting the steering rack from the hubs (both sides) then see if it is in the column. If not, you need to raise each front suspension in turn and see if the wheel turns easily. You cannot lift the car to do it as there will be too much pressure on the ball joints, lift under the spring plate.

Submitted by captnjake@comc… on Wed, 05/18/2011 - 15:10

Thanks Guys,

The binding feeling was there when I first test drove the car. Including the steering rack, power steering pump, and rack bushings, I have replaced both the upper and lower ball joints and the associated bushingsand the car has been aligned.

I tend to agree with the problem being with one of the steering column U-joints. I have only done a hand full of these front ends, but I have never had, or heard of, a problem with those U-joints. The lower one would make more senseunprotected, goofy design, and closer to exhaust heat and road chemicals.

Hopefully, I will know more after this weekend, if I can spend some quality time in the garage

Thanks...

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Tue, 05/17/2011 - 17:28

Check the Universal joints on the column particularly where it attaches to the rack! The exhust heat usually destroys them.