Can't get steering shaft linkage on, help

[HoosierJeeper]

Trying to finish the steering rack install...can't get the steering shaft linkage hooked up. I have the wheels straight and the steering wheel hasn't budged, I secured it from the start. There's a notch on the input shaft on the steering rack that faces down. Where should that notch be? The rack is allegedly centered from the factory.

Thanks so much to anyone that can help out!

 

[kejobe]

Rack alignment could have been moved during shipping. Or the bushings could have the rack off from where the old one was located. That's the way mine was, due to bad bushings the rack shifted before I replaced it and had an alignment after tightening it. So with the new rack, everything was off.

The bolt hole through the linkage has to line up with the notch on the rack so that the bolt will go in and hold it together. Need to line the linkage and rack so that it will slip on. If not lined up, they won't fit together. Might have to unlock the steering wheel to be able to turn it slightly to line it up.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I've tried turning the wheel a bit each way and it doesn't seem to be helping. The bolt goes in from the top of the linkage with the way I have things aligned. The notch is on the bottom of the input shaft...how would I go about getting that to align?

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I did a quick measurement and it seems like there's more "rack" sticking out of the passenger side than drivers side.

 

[the_dealer]

Rather than risk screwing up the clock spring I'd grab the pinion with some channel locks and "straighten" the wheels out. The bolt goes on the same side as the notch, sometimes you have to wiggle the intermediate steering shift end onto the rack's pinion shaft. You could take a risk and turn the wheel whatever way you think the rack is turned, but I'd just turn it with some pliers.


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[turblediesel]

Clocksprings screw up easily and quickly. If your steering wheel is still straight like when you parked you should keep it there, except for wiggle room. If not you can GENTLY turn the steering wheel 'til it GENTLY stops, then turn the other way counting the turns SLOWLY until it GENTLY stops. Then go back halfway and your clockspring survives.

The FSM has an error in its' clockspring installation instructions that guarantee destruction.

I haven't messed with the rack but I'm guessing you could center it by measurement or counting turns while disconnected from the steering shaft.

 

[the_dealer]

The FSM has an error in its' clockspring installation instructions that guarantee destruction. .

I noticed this not long ago as well, I was like wtf that can't be right.

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[turblediesel]

I noticed this not long ago as well, I was like wtf that can't be right.

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Somebody's getting rich from it. Any responsible mechanic gets to do the job twice and look bad in the bosses eyes. Customer buys two clocksprings. No correction postcard from the $180.00 FSM publisher.

Whomever has dirty-clockspring-money in their pockets isn't getting past the pearly gates.

 

[the_dealer]

Luckily, or maybe unluckily, I had to take the clockspring in and out in my TJ about a dozen times to dry it out. In the summer we get these pop up thunderstorms the come out of nowhere, seemed like they only popped up when I had the top off my Jeep lol.

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[HoosierJeeper]

Thanks for help guys. I got it- notch on rack shaft should face passenger side for anyone reading this in the future.