Jim's 1990 YJ

[Jim]

Not a build thread as I bought it built - but perhaps someplace I can stick mods and maintenance items.

2024-07-22

The first entry is the steering column lower bearing.

I've had a rattle/knock noise that is present only at intermediate speeds on bumpy ground. Slow trail speeds or around town to highway asphalt road speeds - silence. The noise sounded like it was right above my knees. Poking/prodding at parts under the dash found no loose item. One day I happened to grab the steering shaft in the engine bay - it MOVED and it made THE SOUND. I finally found it! The lower bearing on the steering column failed, all of the balls of the bearing were missing with slop between the inner and outer races.

The tip for the task - remove the retaining bolt for the steering shaft from the steering column. My steering shaft would not "compress" as it was frozen. Easy answer is to remove the four bolts for the steering gearbox from the frame and allow the steering shaft to slide off of the steering column. Then easily replace the bearing. I re-used the stock parts (retaining clip, outer metal retainer, plastic bearing holder).

A short vid of the slop and noise along with a couple photos are here:
www.JimWilliamson.net/automobile/2024-07-22--tech--steering-column-bearing/ (https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-07-22--tech--steering-column-bearing/index.html)

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-07-22--tech--steering-column-bearing/img_4832.jpg

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-07-22--tech--steering-column-bearing/img_4836.jpg

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-07-22--tech--steering-column-bearing/img_4838.jpg

[TjMike]

Ha! Glad you found the issue and relatively easy fix. Those rattles can be very annoying.

[Jim]

Another task completed today - filling in an egg-shaped spring bolt hole. The 90 miles of Hole In The Rock washboard road loosened a leaf spring nut and the threads ate away at the spring hanger. I wished to use the welder to fill in to re-shape the hole.

Task complete.

A few photos here with a full set at this link:
www.JimWilliamson.net/automobile/2024-08-01--tech--spring-hanger-repair/ (https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-08-01--tech--spring-hanger-repair/index.html)

.
https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-08-01--tech--spring-hanger-repair/img_0150.jpg

Backing metal

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-08-01--tech--spring-hanger-repair/img_0152.jpg

Welder settings

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-08-01--tech--spring-hanger-repair/img_0175.jpg

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-08-01--tech--spring-hanger-repair/img_0153.jpg

Ugliness

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-08-01--tech--spring-hanger-repair/img_0156.jpg

Progress

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-08-01--tech--spring-hanger-repair/img_0159.jpg

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-08-01--tech--spring-hanger-repair/img_0166.jpg

https://www.jimwilliamson.net/automobile/2024-08-01--tech--spring-hanger-repair/img_0168.jpg

[xaza]

repair looks good, a lot better than I could do. picture looks like you have stress cracks higher up. Have you considered reinforcing entire bracket?

[a1gemmel]

Darn good stick welding - I'd second the reinforcing. I've seen some people fix this just welding a washer on, here's what I did on my truck:

https://i.imgur.com/JNekemsh.jpeg

[Jim]

Thanks for the kind comments on the welding. I can say, it was "different" dealing with a puddle that wanted to drip/fall away.


picture looks like you have stress cracks higher up.

I have not noticed stress cracks - but your eye sees something. I attached two larger images - before welding of the outside face and after welding of the inside face - if you would take a look and see if the stress cracks view is present.

[xaza]

not seeing them in these pics, they are up above near the top and middle in other picture. In this one looks like possibly in the white area. Might just be shadows or scratches. I should also say I just found out I have 20/60 vision and am waiting for my first set of glasses. Progressive trifocal lenses cause I guess I am more blind than I knew.

[Jim]

I'm good that there's no stress crack.

I don't know if "congrats" applies for glasses - but I do hope you enjoy clearer vision.

For kicks, here's a different way to view it - this is post welding where there are marks up near the white area.

When you click the link, the picture should show in your browser - but the browser will likely size it down to fit your screen - then click in the center-ish of the pic and your browser should size it up to full size where you'll need to scroll left-right/up-down.

www.JimWilliamson.net/temp/img_0166.jpg (http://www.JimWilliamson.net/temp/img_0166.jpg)