Loose steering fix- parts help request

[SCW]

I've been working with a local dealership on finding parts to remove the dead spot in my steering and I'm hoping someone here has done this before.

From reaching around the A piller and keeping one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on the shaft to the box I've located the dead spot in the coupling between the two shafts, more precisely at the couple, just on the engine side of the firewall. It looks like there is a plastic bearing/grommet/bushing in the coupling that has some play in it, but the dealer claims the common weak link is the u-joints on the shaft itself, which would cost $130 rather than $27 for the bearing/bushing thing.

Here's a pic from the dealer-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/utahmom/Jeep/bob.jpg

For clarity, end of the shaft with #1 attaches to the steering wheel, and shaft #34 connects shaft #4 with the gear box.

I *think* I can get by with just the bearing, part #21. They think (without looking at it) that I would likely need part #31, or the entire shaft from firewall to gearbox. Either way I'll replace the bearing because it won't come with the replacement shaft, but I'd like some feedback if someone has done this in the past. Also, any tips for the install? Easy job, any hidden surprises? It doesn't look too bad, but I'm tearing it apart on Saturday and need to drive to work on Monday, dealerships aren't open over the weekend and NAPA doesn't stock this stuff (maybe he shaft, haven't asked about that yet).

[SCW]

OK, well I'm going to try just the nylon/plastic bushing, or part #J4486713. I know this part is contributing to the slop so I'll try replacing only it first, then address the shaft and U-joints if I'm still not happy.

[POSXJGuy]

how did you check for play in steering parts? did you also check for play in the steering gear box as well? those can be adjusted a bit if i am not mistaken.

[djblade311]

good luck on the project. Before diving there, I would have someone jiggle the steering wheel while the engine is running so I could see the area of play. Its hard to gage the area of sloppiness by yourself.

Let us know how it goes

[SCW]

how did you check for play in steering parts? did you also check for play in the steering gear box as well? those can be adjusted a bit if i am not mistaken.

From reaching around the A piller and keeping one hand on the steering wheel and one hand on the shaft to the box I've located the dead spot in the coupling between the two shafts, more precisely at the couple, just on the engine side of the firewall
Really- I did :D It's like giving your Jeep a great big hug before the steering gets so bad that it kills you.

I have adjusted the gearbox to the best of my limited ability several months ago. I've also inspected the linkages dozens of times before I went for the big hug, but I could see and feel the steering wheel move and the input shaft to the box not move. Basically I was looking right down on that bushing and watching the slop, but th dealer claims the u-joints are more common. I'm wondering if he says that because it's a $130 part rather than #27. I had my wife jiggle the steering wheel several times, and my 7yr-old son is so used to the drill that when I call him over and open the door he knows exactly what I'm after before I say anything. But doing the jiggling and holding the shaft myself was the only way I could definitively decide where the slop was.

[87manche]

what you're likely looking for is a "rag" joint. Try that term

[POSXJGuy]

i shall have to go over my own steering parts soon i think. i get a clunking somewhere and i have done everything but the pass. side ball joints. fun stuff. autozone here i come!