Topic: steering box

[SamsonJR]

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

[VA_YJ]

Do you have manual or power steering?  What size tires are you running?

[SamsonJR]

Power steering, and 33's

[sharpxmen]

what about a reman?

[grumpygy]

How about adjusting the box.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/steering-box-adjustment-1287981/

[sharpxmen]

unless it's leaking

[SamsonJR]

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.

[neale_rs]

The Durango box would be a good choice.

[mrcabinet]

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.

[SamsonJR]

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.

[mrcabinet]

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.

[Jeffy]

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.

[sharpxmen]

remember to take the pitman arm off before you go to pick up the new one.

[SamsonJR]

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 
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

[sharpxmen]

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.