Steering Box

[TEACH JP]

I have had squishy/wobbly steering for quite a while and I am ready to fix this problem. I was told I need to get a new steering box? What do you think? If this is the case any recommendations on a good quality brand? Thanks

-Adam

[allyourbasearebelongtous]

PSC

[Benz0]

before dumping moeny into a new box grab your steering shaft and cehck for any play UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT there is a ujoint on the shaft that wears over time.

This is a good post on exactly what you are experiencing
Link (http://www.ilovejeeps.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-4139.html)

[TEACH JP]

Next week is my spring break so I'll be able to check all of that out. Thanks for the advice.

Adam

[WildTurkeycj8]

Adam - if you are short on cash (isn't just about everybody these days?) I have a couple of stock steering boxes that worked fine when on the jeeps. You can feel free to come over and check them out (I'm not really sure how to check out if they would be an improvement over what you have, maybe check for "play" in the shafts or maybe somebody else could chime in here...) and have one if you want it.

I think I also have a couple of extra steering shafts here....

-Mike

[TEACH JP]

Thanks Mike appreciate the offer I will keep it in mind.


Does anyone think that an after market steering box would be a plus over a stock one? Since the Jeep is lifted and taking more abuse off-road?

Thanks to all

[Ace4wd]

Also look into the dodge durango box.


http://www.jeepz.com/forum/cj-yj-tj-jk/22588-dodge-jeep-power-steering-box-upgrade.html

http://www.cherokeeforum.com/showthread.php?t=3805

I know Jerry loves his.

[tjbliley]

That I do. It does fine on 35's and now the weak link is the linkage, for which I can carry spares. It feels like it is on rails on the road.

[TEACH JP]

I have heard about this before and it looks interesting. Definatly cheaper than the replacement cj box. Since durangos are power steering and my cj is not what else might I have to do to make this swap work? Is there anyone that has done this swap on a cj? Thanks for all the help guys.

Adam

[TEACH JP]

So I shook the steering shaft and it has quite a bit of play in it especially where it attaches to the steering box. So is this a steering shaft or a steering box problem? thanks

[Big Ron]

if it's the bell joint, they make rebuild kits for them, but if it is a rag joint, just replace that joint...or upgrade and get one of the CJ replacement shafts from flaming river that is all set for your box and column.

[TEACH JP]

So does this mean you think its the shaft and not the box? Could you describe the bell joint and rag joint?

[cmcolfax]

That I do. It does fine on 35's and now the weak link is the linkage, for which I can carry spares. It feels like it is on rails on the road.


Hmmm... I did not know you did this conversion on the TJ...

Could go on the list for the YJ when I do the TJ axle shaft conversion!

-cmc-

[Big Ron]

So does this mean you think its the shaft and not the box? Could you describe the bell joint and rag joint?

The belljoint or rag joint is the connection from the steering shaft to the steering box. It is what allows a little give. What year is your jeep. If it was made in the 80s it probbaly has a rag joint which is made of rubber and a metal collar to connect to the steering box splined input. When that joint goes bad, it makes the steering very vague. Have someone turn the wheel and you look at that join. If the ratio isn;t 1:1, the joint is tearing and loosening. Have you adjusted the steering box? It could be as easy as adjusting the steering box set srcew a half turn or so to tighten the box back up and replacing the rag joint.

if it's a bell joint, it'll look like this and it is rebuilt witha new boot and pins and lock ring.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u225/adamsclarke/Belljoint.gif
These were used a lot in the 70s jeeps.
Like I say, call matt up at independent4x and have him order you a replacement steering shaft if yours is going bad. It's a few more dollars, but a good upgrade that will last another 150k miles

[TEACH JP]

Thanks Ron that makes it alot more clear. It is definently loose where the boot portion meets the steering box. I appreciate the help.

[TEACH JP]

So I am finally home on summer break and today I took the jeep in to a shop and had a mechanic look at it. He said the entire shaft needs to be replaced. In this thread the flamming river shaft was recommended, and I like what I've read about it. The steering box is 25 years old I was contemplating simply replacing the box and the shaft simultaniously. I know "if it aint broke dont fix it" however I think this might be the best in the long run. If I were to change the box I would go with the PCS also recommended previously. All opinions and comments are welcome let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Adam

[TEACH JP]

Ok so its alittle overwhelming taking in all this advice at once......In all seriousness no one has even a comment let alone constructive advice?

[Benz0]

Ok so its alittle overwhelming taking in all this advice at once......In all seriousness no one has even a comment let alone constructive advice?

if your budget allows for it I would go with PC's box and the river shaft at the same time....but that's just me speaking from experience where you replace one piece of a functional area on a Jeep the older pieces get jealous and break on you :)

if you ever plan on going REALLY big on your rig look into the PC's hydro assist steering box that could be very useful in the long run making steering big tires a breeze and the hydro assist can be plugged up until you are ready to go to that setup...PM me if you want more info on that or disregard if you don't plan on going really big :cheers:

[TEACH JP]

Benzo,

Thanks for the response I appreciate the adivce as well as info. Eventually I will go bigger 35's 37's however I dunno how big your talking about before hydro is necessary. Also is installing these items pretty straight foward? I would like to do it myself and learn as well as save money. Again thanks for the response.

Adam

[Big Ron]

Just go with a stock box and stock replacement shaft from flaming river. Cheapest way and will work fine. Send it out to West Texas Offroad later in if you want to tap it for hydro....but with 35s, you'll be OK. I think a reman box from autozone etc only run like $175....considerably cheaper than PSC.

[TEACH JP]

So you think that the extra cost and quality is unessesary and the stock replacement is fine? Up to say maby 37's in the future? I appreciate the comment I just don't want to be going through this again anytime soon. Thanks Ron
-Adam

[Big Ron]

Stock is the quickest, cheapest, easiest way to get back going again.
The PSC box s nice, it firms up at speed, so highway is easier, but if you ever plan on 37s and want to do hydro assist, tapping your stock box will do the job.
If you wanted to upgrade now, get a reman waggie box and steering column. It's a bigger box, stronger etc... I've even heard that a J20 box has the most steering pressure and may not need tapping later in.
For trails, you won;t need hydro, but if you plan on crawling and really getting into it, hydro will take a lot of strain off the box.
If it were me, I'd get a reman box and shaft, buy a steering box brace and not worry about it.

[TEACH JP]

Thanks Ron I appreciate the insight. I'll post up here when I figure out what I am doing.