4bangerjp.com

General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: SamsonJR on July 29, 2013, 11:54:44 AM

Title: steering box
Post by: SamsonJR on July 29, 2013, 11:54:44 AM
Ok, so my Jeep is in need for a few important things as of now, one is my steering. I have a lot of play on either side of the wheel before I turn, and have to keep pressure on the wheel wile driving strait. I recently upgraded my tie rod/ drag link set up with a rugged ridge HD set up. Ball Joints are good and greased. "Jeep is aligned and tires are balanced"  I bought a Factory lower steering arm, upper and lower bearings and retainer "my lower shaft has play in U joints and play at steering box and column. I would like to replace the steering box at the same time as these parts. here's the question, A new factory Box will cost me around 300 dollers. a junkyard box is 75. I don't like using junkyard parts b/c I don't know if I'm buying junk. How do I tell If a steering box is good if I go the junk yard route? I also read about using a Durango box, It's a bit stronger then the YJ's. I can get one of them for 75 as well. If I went new from factory it would cost me over 400 b/c I don't have a core. any Info would be appreciated
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: VA_YJ on July 29, 2013, 01:39:45 PM
Do you have manual or power steering?  What size tires are you running?
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: SamsonJR on July 29, 2013, 01:52:51 PM
Power steering, and 33's
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: sharpxmen on July 29, 2013, 03:00:17 PM
what about a reman?
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: grumpygy on July 29, 2013, 03:04:49 PM
How about adjusting the box.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/steering-box-adjustment-1287981/
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: sharpxmen on July 29, 2013, 03:44:45 PM
unless it's leaking
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: SamsonJR on July 29, 2013, 04:26:51 PM
the box isn't leaking, I tried to adjust it, but it still has play. ideally I would like to buy a new one, but with my front axle needing work, I'm going to be kind of tight on cash.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: neale_rs on July 29, 2013, 04:47:01 PM
The Durango box would be a good choice.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: mrcabinet on July 29, 2013, 07:22:01 PM
I've been running a reman Durango box for about three years and love it. You have two choices with these - snow plow or non-snow plow. The snow plow box (which I went with) is the same ratio as the stock jeep box and the non-plow is about 1/4 turn faster. If I remember correctly, you want a '98 - '99 box. I also did the pump mod, which helps with the 33's.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: SamsonJR on July 30, 2013, 11:33:53 AM
looking at the reman boxes, they are def. cheaper then new! still more then a junk yard though. I might wait and order one from autozone. There around 180 and have a 115 core charge. I'm not sure if They would take my YJ steering box as a core on a durango though. I've read a little on the durango box, Everything I've read said to go with a non snow plow box. If the snow plow box is the same turning radius as the YJ would I have to upgrade my pump to have that work or would my stock pump be enough? I think I'm going to def. go with a reman box though. Like I said, I don't really like putting junkyard parts into anything.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: mrcabinet on July 30, 2013, 05:08:38 PM
Plow or non-plow, either works fine. You do not have to do anything to the pump. As for the core, throw it in the box and keep your mouth shut. My parts guy said that all they care is that there's a box to send back.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: Jeffy on July 30, 2013, 07:47:48 PM
Plow or non-plow, either works fine. You do not have to do anything to the pump. As for the core, throw it in the box and keep your mouth shut. My parts guy said that all they care is that there's a box to send back.
Yup, they don't care as long as they get something similar back.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: sharpxmen on July 30, 2013, 07:59:33 PM
remember to take the pitman arm off before you go to pick up the new one.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: SamsonJR on July 31, 2013, 02:48:12 AM
Lol, yeah that's what I was thinking of doing, i'm sure I could fill a box with rocks and tell the autozone guy it's my core and they would take it  :blbl:
Sharpmen when you say to take the pitman arm off first, is that so I don't give it to them with my core, or to make sure fitment is correct? lol
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: sharpxmen on July 31, 2013, 02:57:06 AM
yep, so you don't have to try and find a puller at the store or drive back home to take it out, i would think they'd be nice enough to point that out to you if you didn't notice the reman comes without the pitman arm.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: SamsonJR on July 31, 2013, 10:21:56 AM
I'm already on top of that, thanks though. I'm going to borrow my Dad's puller. I know better then to no remove my pitman arm! lol
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: Bounty Hunter on July 31, 2013, 12:00:36 PM
I run a '99 Durango box on my YJ, I believe there is no snow-plow option in '99 but there is for the '98.

There's a trick  to removing the pitman arm easily.  Tighten the puller and, using a 3 lb sledge, hit the side of the arm where it attaches to the steering box at a 90* angle to the steering shaft.  Tighten, hit, repeat.  The hammer blow temporarily egg-shapes the pitman arm hole and helps it pop right off.  Same method works great for ball joints and TRE's.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: Jeffy on July 31, 2013, 12:31:24 PM
Definitely remove the pitman arm off while the box is still on the Jeep.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: mrcabinet on August 01, 2013, 06:16:02 PM
Yup, puller and a BFH is the way to go. If you're doing it by yourself, a floor jack with a block or two really helps to get the box up to the frame and steady it.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: jfrabat on August 02, 2013, 09:03:51 AM
I run a '99 Durango box on my YJ, I believe there is no snow-plow option in '99 but there is for the '98.

There's a trick  to removing the pitman arm easily.  Tighten the puller and, using a 3 lb sledge, hit the side of the arm where it attaches to the steering box at a 90* angle to the steering shaft.  Tighten, hit, repeat.  The hammer blow temporarily egg-shapes the pitman arm hole and helps it pop right off.  Same method works great for ball joints and TRE's.

I second this strategy; before I was pointed in this direction, I was not able to get the pitman off my Jeep...
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: SamsonJR on August 26, 2013, 03:30:36 PM
hey guys, update on my '91's steering, I decided to use the parts I bought about a month ago "new steering shaft, bearing, retainer and cap" and see how it drove. I figured worst comes to worst I just unbolt the shaft from the steering box and replace the box. Well It's driving a lot better. the joints were SHOT in the old shaft. I still have a little bit of play "about a 1/4 inch" but it's a lot tighter then it was. This is good because needing to put so much into the '93, I can use the steering box fund towards that for now :) and upgrade later on 
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: Jeffy on August 26, 2013, 04:27:50 PM
It's, "worse come to worst".    :trollface:  :lol:  Congrats on getting is fixed though.
Title: Re: steering box
Post by: SamsonJR on August 26, 2013, 04:50:24 PM
It's, "worse come to worst".    :trollface:  :lol:  Congrats on getting is fixed though.


lmao, yeah.. I'm not a English major..clearly  ;)