Bell crank fix

[abaloop]

Hello All – I have a good, easy fix to a common problem. Taking the slop out of a rounded out or oblong bell crank shaft bracket. My jeep wobbled severely at low speeds when I hit just a small bump. I jacked up the front end and noticed the bell crank shaft shift slightly side to side when the wheel was turned left to right. I couldn’t find a new bell crank bracket to weld on to the crossmember. I thought about sleeving the oblong hole but it’s impossible to do without taking the bracket off the jeep. So here is the fix; I drilled and tapped two holes in the middle of the bell crank bracket mounted to the frame. Looking at the jeep from the front I drilled and tapped two holes, one at 8:00 o’clock and the other at 4:00 o’clock. I used 5/16” bolts, lock tight and screwed them into the tapped holes. I alternately tighten both bolts to force the bell crank shaft to seat tightly against the back of the oblong bracket. It worked great! It removed all the slop and tightened up the steering. No more wobble. I’ll try to post some pics. Any questions let me know?


Abaloop
1946 cj2a

[Rus Curtis]

So, your bell crank doesn't have bearings inside?

[abaloop]

"I drilled and tapped two holes in the middle of the bell crank bracket mounted to the frame." Rus I'm refering to drilling into the bracket on the frame not the bell crank or pitman arm itself. The pipe looking bracket on the frame that the shaft fits into which is stationary. I'll take a pic and post it. Took the jeep off road last night for further testing and when I came home I went to snug up the bolts but they were good and tight. I'll run it through the summer and see how it holds up.


Abaloop

[Rus Curtis]

Yes, I think I followed your fix: To push against the bell crank shaft inside the bracket on your frame with bolts. My question was about the bearings that should be inside (between the bracket and the bell crank shaft).

I don't have Parts Manuals for all models and may be off the mark with my advice, but have a Service Manual that covers CJ2A-CJ5A/6A. In the steering section (Section O) there is a troubleshooting paragraph (O-17 in my manual) that includes a sentence describing checking the bellcrank bearings, shaft and mounting bracket when diagnosing shimmy.

When I rebuilt my steering system (steering wheel to front wheels) I replaced my bell crank and the bearings/spacer and seals. The bearings were needle bearings similar to what you find in the transmission. I suppose your jeep could have a friction bearing (bushing) but something should be in there. I'm also assuming you have a grease zerk on the bell crank. That usually denotes a part that needs lubrication such as a bearing. I can't imagine a moving part such as a bell crank to be without a bearing of some sort - I may be wrong.

[Ben Dover]

You mist have the early CJ-2A Bellcrank that has the small diameter shaft that is pinned to the bracket on the crossmember.

[abaloop]

Yes I have an mid early cj2a, serial #40390. Rus the needle bearings are in the pitman arm unit not in bracket on the frame.

[Rus Curtis]

Ah, my bad. Significant differences!

[abaloop]

How do you post pics. I have g503 photo album account and I've been cutting and pasting the medium image link and no go. What am i doing wrong? Any help would be appreciated.


Abaloop

[Rus Curtis]

Abaloop, it would have been better to have this be a new topic vs. embedding it.

However, at the top of the Message Board index, there is a FAQ section. In it, there is a sticky on posting pictures:

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=16916

I find the Preview button at the bottom of your message window very helpful. You can check to see how it will look after you add the image.

Hope this helps.