Topic: My steeting is leaking and there is also play. Any ideas?

[andpgud]

i there guys. My steering pump seams to be leaking. Is this normal? There is also some play in the steering. The Jeep is stock and has no lift.
What is there to do for me?

[sharpxmen]

leaking is not normal

[andpgud]

leaking is not normal

What I meant is if it were a common fault and how to tackle it.

[grumpygy]

Check hose connections Mine has loosened up.

[Jeffy]

What I meant is if it were a common fault and how to tackle it.

Is that a TJ by any chance?  If so then they were a fairly common issue.  Usually leaks from the output shaft where the pitman arm is.  The O-ring tends to go bad.  You can buy a o-ring kit to fix it or you can just replace the box.  I remember hearing something about the TJ boxes using fewer seals or something.  I'm not 100% sure what the issue was exactly but like I said it's fairly common.

[andpgud]

Yes, its a TJ. I ask because they wanted to charge me 300 dollars for the repair.
What about the play in the steering wheel?

[Jeffy]

Yes, its a TJ. I ask because they wanted to charge me 300 dollars for the repair.
What about the play in the steering wheel?

You could buy a new steering box for that.  Play would be dependent several things.  Bushings or ball joints would be where I'd look first.

[andpgud]

You could buy a new steering box for that.  Play would be dependent several things.  Bushings or ball joints would be where I'd look first.

So that kit is just plug and play? I could change the seal by myself?
How common is it that the box itself has some play?

[sharpxmen]

How common is it that the box itself has some play?

that's a very loose question - any box has "some" play, it's "common" to have excessive play when they go bad. They can also be adjusted, there's a limit at which point the adjustment won't work, so if your box has a lot of freeplay i suggest servicing it or replacing it as the wear on the gears is probably beyond the point of adjustment (you might be able to make it better but it won't last).

[grumpygy]

Have read that some Box mount themselves were loose.  Also how often are they hit while on the trail cause you can get a skid plate for the steering Box.

[Jeffy]

Have read that some Box mount themselves were loose.  Also how often are they hit while on the trail cause you can get a skid plate for the steering Box.

Well, if you have a TJ then a skid is probably a good idea.  On a CJ/YJ, not really needed.  With larger tires, it does stress the bolts some.  That's why people used to add a truss rod.

[andpgud]

I dont do any real offroading and those are the tires I am running.

[grumpygy]

Well, if you have a TJ then a skid is probably a good idea.  On a CJ/YJ, not really needed.  With larger tires, it does stress the bolts some.  That's why people used to add a truss rod.

I was looking up a TJ .  Know mine is fairly safe since its a YJ.

[Jeffy]

I dont do any real offroading and those are the tires I am running.

I wouldn't worry about it.  Just fix what you got.