I made an puzzling discovery about bell cranks the other day. I ordered a rebuild kit for Rusty’s bell crank. When I began assembling it, I discovered the original and new bolts were different. So, I had to use my old bolt (which fortunately was in good shape). Going back online, all the bell crank rebuild kits show the left hand bolt below (anyone need a new bolt .. I don’t). Do any other jeeps use the shorter bolt in their bell cranks?
Both of the DJ-3As have the same setup. The bolts they use lack an indent (used to secure the bolt to the bell crank mount). They are slightly shorter and 1/16th larger in diameter than the replacement crank. The DJ bolt lacks the hole at the end.
Here it is reassembled. The horizontal bolt clamps the unit together, but does not anchor the bolt.
I haven’t pulled my bolt on my 1954 CJ-3B for fear of losing the needle bearings, but I would be interested in finding out how much play the bell crank has when the bolt is fully tightened. I have my bolt fully tightened and there is still some play between the bell crank and the bolted clamp. This allows the tie-rod end of the bell crank to move ever so slightly up and down or diagonally when I turn the steering wheel. I think I should be able to eliminate that movement maybe with a washer, and tighten up the steering slightly.