It is a tilt column.
And now for a little rant.
It was in storage not running for well over a decade before I got it. So every bushing in it and seal was dry rotted. So every single one was replaced with polyurethane bushings, every bearing, every joint, etc... (except door seals and window seals, those are in boxes in my living room waiting for a day warm enough to do it). Leaf springs of course. It’s got the ones that were used on the one ton 4wds at the time. If I remember right, they’re rated for 2600 a piece. Upgraded redhead steering box. According to the local four wheel drive shop, the geometry is piss perfect.
With all that done, how could it have that much play? I texted my builder earlier. Guess what.
The steering wheel, column, and shaft are 100% original!!! Only touched Enough to replace the steering box.
Really?!!!
Not to disparage his work, because his work is excellent. But that’s like running 26.1 miles of a marathon and saying f—- it, and quitting. With all the other things that were done, why not that? Compared to custom brackets and cross members for the motor, trans, and transfer case, completely rebuilding the entire front end, rebuilding the rear ended, and putting in front brakes big enough to stop a train, refreshing the steering column seems pretty simple. Isn’t that the part that marries you to the vehicle? Wouldn’t you start there? I mean, it’s an easy enough fix, and relatively inexpensive as well, but why do that?
I think you guys have helped me identify the exact problem.
I guess it’s time to find an XJ shaft. Sense it is a tilt, what needs to be done there? And is there anything else to inregards to the column and shaft besides making sure everything is still torqued down and no cracks?
