Steering !972 CJ5 steering assembly question

[FFEH]

I have a 1973 CJ5 304 T-15 Jeep with power steering. I am new to Jeeps. I am trying to put the steering shaft column back together. I bought the jeep and didn’t notice that the steering wheel was welded to the shaft. I have bought an upper shaft for a 1973 CJ. I just realized that it has the upper bearing and am looking for the lower bearing for the column/shaft. My question looking at the pictures provided I have a lower shaft that hits the hat bracket for the shock absorber. The knuckle that connected the lower and upper shafts is stripped and was hitting a header pipe. So I think I need to buy a steering knuckle that will connect upper and lower steering shafts and the lower bearing on the column? Can anyone tell me if I missing something I am not aware of? I did read a post that mentioned the body bushings could change the angle of the steering shaft. I am not there yet. I am just trying to figure out what I am missing to reconstruct it and end up with a stock steering wheel with horn button. Thanks for any help.

 

[CJ]

There are several ways to fix this and all are readily available. The best way is to get a Flaming River or Borgeson lower shaft and either rebuild the upper column (replace bearings and do what you have done by getting a new shaft) or swap in a GM tilt column.

Do you have power steering?

-->> New lower heavy duty shafts and bearing kits. -->> https://www.morris4x4center.com/replacement-parts/suspension/steering/steering-shafts-components.htm

-->> There are many ways of doing the column swap if you choose to do so.

-->> What tools / welders / cutters do you have?

 

[FFEH]

Thanks for your reply. I can't weld but know someone that will and can. I have cutters. What is your thought on the coupler? Should I go with the stock bulky one or one with a smaller profile. There is a problem with the coupler hitting one of the headers. I have read the easiest way to fix that is to heat the header pipe and tap it with a ball peen hammer to indent the pipe. I am not sure what the bearing looks like in the lower end of the column. It appears that there is a sleeve in the lower part of the column. It looks like brass but I am unsure. In the picture with the column you can see it just sticking out. I have power steering.

 

[CJ]

Can you take a pic o your current setup? Top and bottom? Heades? 8 or 6?

 

[FFEH]

Can you take a pic o your current setup? Top and bottom? Heades? 8 or 6?

Wiil do lower steering shaft and upper? Do you want the upper shaft in the column? Everything is out of the jeep I can lay it out for you if that is what you need?

 

[FFEH]

 

[FFEH]

This is what I have. i think your questions was V8 or 6 cylinder. Its a V8. If you need another picture let me know. thanks for any help.

 

[FFEH]

There are several ways to fix this and all are readily available. The best way is to get a Flaming River or Borgeson lower shaft and either rebuild the upper column (replace bearings and do what you have done by getting a new shaft) or swap in a GM tilt column.

Do you have power steering?

-->> New lower heavy duty shafts and bearing kits. -->> https://www.morris4x4center.com/replacement-parts/suspension/steering/steering-shafts-components.htm

-->> There are many ways of doing the column swap if you choose to do so.

-->> What tools / welders / cutters do you have?

Thanks for your reply. I can't weld but know someone that will and can. I have cutters. What is your thought on the coupler? Should I go with the stock bulky one or one with a smaller profile. There is a problem with the coupler hitting one of the headers. I have read the easiest way to fix that is to heat the header pipe and tap it with a ball peen hammer to indent the pipe. I am not sure what the bearing looks like in the lower end of the column. It appears that there is a sleeve in the lower part of the column. It looks like brass but I am unsure. In the picture with the column you can see it just sticking out. I have power steering.