1973 Cj5 Steering Shaft

Hello,

I have a 1973 CJ5 and had to cut the steering shaft out becuase the splines were rusted solid. I am having difficulty finding a replacment shaft. My jeep did not have a fancy column or anything, just a shaft and a thin tube over it. Could anyone point me in the correct direction for the shaft that connected to the steering wheel, and the one that connected down to the steering box.

My jeep has a 78 body on it as well, I dont know if that would make a difference.

Thank You,
Mike

 

You're in need of the steering shaft and all the linkage up to the box? Manual or Power steering?

 

There is a difference in the columns (steering wheel to floor) between the ‘72-‘75 intermediate (your Jeep) and the later Jeeps.
The intermediates have a horseshoe shaped bracket that bolts to the lower dash, and the later Jeeps protrude through a large oval hole. Parts for the intermediate Jeeps are very scarce. If your parts are damaged, you might have to look into aftermarket columns, and fabrication to fit them.
-Donny

 

I may have a usable lower shaft ??? I’ll look.
Of course it just so happens that the lower shaft is properly called an “intermediate steering shaft” .
The upper is the “steering column shaft”.

 

Yes all linkage up to the box, I found the correct tie rod and drag link. Manual steering

 

I dont like hearing that, I could posibly reuse what I have but the splines are very bad, may need to fabricate a custom bracket.

 

Hmmm I might have the horse shoe one pLUS all the linkage down to the box. P.O. said it came out of a '74. I ground the spot welds off the H/shoe bracket so it could be removed. Do you need the outer column tube? or just the inner shaft?

 

I see Jeepster Jim has (maybe) all the steering parts for an Intermediate. Does your ‘78 tub have the ‘73 dashboard? If so, This may be the answer to your needs. The ‘73 dash has an inverted U-shaped cutout for the column along the bottom edge. If not, a ‘73 dash should bolt right on a ‘78 tub and put your steering back to a stock Intermediate.
-Donny

 

I know that I saved my outer tube, I do not know what condition it is in so I will need to check that.

 

I have a '73 dash board, I will need to see what condition my tube is in and hopefully Jeepster Jim and I can make a deal. Hopfully this solves my probelm and I can get my jeep back together.

 

Do check what you have...Do you have the turn signal switch? I can post pics of what I have.

 

I will include a picture of all my parts. I need a new outer tube and upper shaft for sure. The splines were so rusted in the only way to get it off was with the angle grinder. I am unsure if my directional works or not, but I should replace it if you have a nicer one.

I would like to note, the guy I bought a soft top from threw in a extra steering box and an extra lower steering shaft.

From what I know (and thats not much regarding CJ5s) I think I should be able to reuse my lower shaft, but I need a new upper shaft and tube.

Thank you for your help so far!

 

Is this the main part you are needing? SEE PICS. As you can see I carefully ground the spot welds off to remove the bracket from the column. All is still usable. Have a column, column shaft, bracket, steering shaft with bell joint, and turn signal switch. NO steering wheel....cracked, bent, not worth sending.
Will gladly post pics if need be.

 

LOL, saw your post after posting my post. Looks like you have most everything need BUT ya sure could use the column, shaft and bracket. What you'll need is a new universal joint which should be available. Find a NOS one.

 

Thank you for the pictures, I defenitly need a new column shaft and column. Up here in Wisconsin rust is a big issue, i'm guessing thats a lesser issue in California, but are the splines all good? My steering wheel is shot also, must be a common issue.

 

I am definitely interested, would you be able to give me a call towmorrow?

 

The steering wheel is still on it and so is the bottom universal joint. Both the wheel and joint need to be replaced. Let me pull both bad parts off and do a spline check.
Am very busy tomorrow but will do my best to call and remove the bad parts.

 

Thank you, just let me know and I will send my number to you.

 

Made time to remove the bad steering wheel and bottom U-joint.
Also took more pics of the parts.
Splines look good. Nylon bushing needs replacement....available and you can see dent. I took a wire wheel to the dent area so you could see it.



Pic showing bracket, some horn parts, and the dent near the very bottom of the steering column tube. Pic makes the dent appear worse.


U-joint on the left is bad. The one on the right is a spare that I will let go. You can rebuild these U-joints.


Upper end of Steering shaft. splines and threads are good. Horn stuff in pic seem ok. Upper bearing is toast....There's a good replacement available. The part(s) for the horn that screw to the outside of the upper steering tube is missing. Maybe part of a wiring harness?? You can see the rectangular opening with 1 of 2 screws showing.



Sal from Vintage Jeep makes aftermarket upper/lower bushings/bearings for this and are superior to the stock ones.
let me know what ya think.

 

Your parts are in far better condition than mine are lol! Dent isint that bad, plus im not building a show jeep. I think I was able to save the piece that screws onto the side of the tube. How would you like to proceed?