Junkyard Eagle

[eaglefreek]

I routinely check the online inventory of a salvage yard I go to when I get the chance. An 85 Eagle popped up and decided to check it out today. It wasn't in that bad of shape. Kind of sad seeing it there. The interior was rough, mostly because of the headliner but otherwise in pretty decent shape. When I saw the rear washer nozzle, I was as giddy as a school girl.   I've been looking for one for 3 years. The aftermarket valve cover was a pleasant surprise. I grabbed it. I also removed a steering box from a 98 Grand Cherokee. Supposedly have a tighter steering ratio than the Eagle's box.

[maddog]

wow an all white 85 i wonder if it was an inaugural edition.

[eaglefreek]

Didn't appear to be. Had blue interior and I didn't see a plaque or a place where one would have been. It had no power options, everything was manual.

[WoodenBirdOfPrey]

Nice, I've been on the lookout for one of the washer nozzles too.  Up till you posted that pic i wasn't even sure what one looked like.  and of course that spot on my parts car was exactly where it hit the tree when it was crashed.

[shanebo]

That thing looks pretty complete, I wonder what ailment landed it in there? Its always sad to see one it that good of shape sitting a junk yard.



Shanebo, I accidently clicked on modify on your post and had to see if I could modify your post. I shouldn't even see a modify post option. I better notify the moderators.

[eagleman]

Are those alloy wheels I see? Sure wouldn't mind having those!!

[Whuntmore]

I also removed a steering box from a 98 Grand Cherokee. Supposedly have a tighter steering ratio than the Eagle's box.

Now is that a direct bolt-in, or is there some modding needed to make it fit?

[El Matador]

That car looks like it was someone's pride and joy up until very recently, especially if they went to the effort and expense of finding and installing the valve cover and alloy wheels.  Sad that they gave up on it. 

Another one soon to be gone...

[TwoEaglesForMe]

What a shame finding a saveable eagle in the u pull it yard.  This and other junkyard sightings anger me.  As for the steering box, I pulled one from an 89 firebird formula.  Direct bolt in and 1:1 ratio like the corvette.  What a difference! I feel like i'm driving an eagle "sport" 

[shanebo]

its probably one of those deals where some little old man had it for years and then sold it dirt cheap to some punk who destroyed it in a few months driving like a baja racer.

[eaglefreek]

I also removed a steering box from a 98 Grand Cherokee. Supposedly have a tighter steering ratio than the Eagle's box.

Now is that a direct bolt-in, or is there some modding needed to make it fit?

I'll let you know when I'm done.  Supposedly it is. I might need a hybrid rag joint.

What a shame finding a saveable eagle in the u pull it yard.  This and other junkyard sightings anger me.  As for the steering box, I pulled one from an 89 firebird formula.  Direct bolt in and 1:1 ratio like the corvette.  What a difference! I feel like i'm driving an eagle "sport" 

The tightest ratio in a factory Saginaw 800 box would be 12:1. I don't think I would want to drive something with a 1:1 steering box. 

The Grand Cherokee box has a 12.7:1 ratio and not as much assist. So no "pinky" steering. I'm not sure what the factory ratio is on the Eagle.

[TwoEaglesForMe]

Ah, good call on my typo LOL yes that sure would make it hard to steer... I thought i hit the 2 but didn't notice until after I posted.  Oh well I'm sure most know what I meant.  My box has a YA code stamped on it, yes 12.7:1.

[captspillane]

I've never understood the attraction to different steering boxes. When you say its "tighter," does that mean it takes less steering wheel motion to turn the vehicle? How does "12.7" translate to the difference between the input and output of the steering box? Is it a mechanical assist factor or a ratio in revolutions of input versus revolutions of output? What are the possible ratios available?

My Scrambler has a corvette box from the previous owner, and I hate it. The Jeep's front wheels only turn half of their possible range to the left before stopping, so the turning radius is obnoxious. I haven't figured out if the problem is the box itself, the way it was installed, or improper steering geometry. The first step will be to revert back to a factory Jeep box and see if the problem corrects itself.

[captspillane]

I don't ask a question without trying to find the answer myself. This is the best quote I've found so far.

"Conventional power steering gearboxes were originally manufactured with a wide ratio. Depending on the manufacturer, most were in the range of 16:1 to 24:1, requiring four to six full turns of the steering wheel from stopping point to stopping point (wheels locked from the extreme right to the extreme left, commonly referred to as "lock to lock"). Many of these units were also designed to have slow steering response around the center point, with improved response as you approached the ends of their maximum range; these were termed variable-ratio. Quick-ratio gearboxes will reduce the steering wheel lock-to-lock range to as low as 2½ turns."

Can the lock stopping points be adjusted? I believe Eagles are variable ratio units, since an SX4 has very soft steering going straight, but one quick jab to the left or right will have a sudden dramatic change in steering. Thats true of a station wagon to a smaller degree. I absolutely love how my SX4s steer and would never want to change it. I'm hoping someone knows the exact specifications of the Eagle units for comparison.

[captspillane]

I'll have to start a new thread once I get this figured out. There is two different three bolt patterns and a four bolt pattern available. According to Rockauto part interchange information, the Eagle three bolt pattern is the same as a Cherokee. Cherokee forums suggest upgrading to the "808" larger bore steering gear from a 98-99 Dodge Durango. To fix my Scrambler it seems that I will need a J20 steering gear with the larger bore and my beloved variable ratio steering because of the four bolt pattern. There is supposedly only two types of input shafts available, and buying this adaptor is all you need to install any other steering gear.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/56107_00.htm

Rockauto lists a non variable and a variable steering ratio for Eagles. I still haven't found a set of specifications defining those part numbers. I also still don't know if the lock points can be adjusted internally, since my Scrambler turns to the right fine but hits a steering gear lock prematurely when turning to the left.