tighten the steering box

[JoergM]

I changed the steering box last weekend and I can confirm that that the wobble disappeared. The installed box was just too lose or what ever the problem is. The current one is a bit too tight since I ran it with 33 heavy duty muddies and steel wheels. might loosen it up a bit but it is just a huge difference no.

If there would be not all these other issues with are over my head (BTW besides he intercooler hose I have also suddenly water dripping down from the sunroof no idea where this is coming from) It would be now a decent ride....

[5oclock]

Glad you got it sorted. From what I have read on the USA Jeep forums the steering boxes do wear out, and if it feels a bit tight like you said, it might pay to back it off a bit because it does make them wear a lot faster.
PS, sorry I dont have any ideas how you can fix the intercooler hose. I think I read on here some where a good while ago that others have come up with a fix. AdrianD might be onto it.

[OffroadSpike]

Originally Posted by JoergM

I changed the steering box last weekend and I can confirm that that the wobble disappeared. The installed box was just too lose or what ever the problem is. The current one is a bit too tight since I ran it with 33 heavy duty muddies and steel wheels. might loosen it up a bit but it is just a huge difference no.

If there would be not all these other issues with are over my head (BTW besides he intercooler hose I have also suddenly water dripping down from the sunroof no idea where this is coming from) It would be now a decent ride....

Hello. I'm currently having the same problems you had, I've been trying to figure out where was the problem, changed all the front and back suspension and steering parts except ball joints (which I think are good) and the steering box. The car has improved by a lot since I've bought it, but the steering is not as precise as other cars I drive, there's a feeling of looseness and unprecise on turns. I also get the play feeling when I get on gravel roads and I hit stones I feel the play on the steering box. I have already tighten the box, but I don't want to tighten it anymore since it's currently not fully selfcentering and I think if I tighten it a bit more I'm going to completely destroy it.

My only option is buying a new steering box, which brand did you buy and where? There's a couple of brands sold in the EU but there's no reviews on them anywhere. There's also RedHead and BlueTop sold in the USA which people say they are good. The other one I know is one sold by Crown, but is very expensive and there's no reviews on them.

Thanks!

[JoergM]

Originally Posted by OffroadSpike

Hello. I'm currently having the same problems you had, I've been trying to figure out where was the problem, changed all the front and back suspension and steering parts except ball joints (which I think are good) and the steering box. The car has improved by a lot since I've bought it, but the steering is not as precise as other cars I drive, there's a feeling of looseness and unprecise on turns. I also get the play feeling when I get on gravel roads and I hit stones I feel the play on the steering box. I have already tighten the box, but I don't want to tighten it anymore since it's currently not fully selfcentering and I think if I tighten it a bit more I'm going to completely destroy it.

My only option is buying a new steering box, which brand did you buy and where? There's a couple of brands sold in the EU but there's no reviews on them anywhere. There's also RedHead and BlueTop sold in the USA which people say they are good. The other one I know is one sold by Crown, but is very expensive and there's no reviews on them.

Thanks!

Don't forget that our steering box is mirrored since we drive on the other side. So, only boxes from the UK might be interesting for you. You could also have a worn out steering column. They have U joints which might be shot and need to be replaced. I wiggled on mine when I had my steering box out and it seem to be ok. I have 2 boxes used on mine, the original one and one got from a V8 (which is currently installed). Both of them do not allow much of tightening. When I loosen the nut I cant even do a full turn on the inner hex screw. I get at best 1/2 turn only and then I hit a stop in both directions. Not sure if this is by design or if something is wrong with the boxes. I do not want to push it harder since I am worried it will damage the box. Might try it with the one installed though since I definitely wont leave it in. Its just too tight. What you can try is getting a rebuild kit. Not sure if they work if you want to tighten up your box or if just your seals and bushings are shot. This is something you could get from the US though.

[JoergM]

Originally Posted by OffroadSpike

Hello. I'm currently having the same problems you had, I've been trying to figure out where was the problem, changed all the front and back suspension and steering parts except ball joints (which I think are good) and the steering box. The car has improved by a lot since I've bought it, but the steering is not as precise as other cars I drive, there's a feeling of looseness and unprecise on turns. I also get the play feeling when I get on gravel roads and I hit stones I feel the play on the steering box. I have already tighten the box, but I don't want to tighten it anymore since it's currently not fully selfcentering and I think if I tighten it a bit more I'm going to completely destroy it.

My only option is buying a new steering box, which brand did you buy and where? There's a couple of brands sold in the EU but there's no reviews on them anywhere. There's also RedHead and BlueTop sold in the USA which people say they are good. The other one I know is one sold by Crown, but is very expensive and there's no reviews on them.

Thanks!

My overall looseness disappeared once I change the sway bar links they were totally shot. Not sure if you have done this but have at least a look at them.

[OffroadSpike]

Originally Posted by JoergM

Don't forget that our steering box is mirrored since we drive on the other side. So, only boxes from the UK might be interesting for you. You could also have a worn out steering column. They have U joints which might be shot and need to be replaced. I wiggled on mine when I had my steering box out and it seem to be ok. I have 2 boxes used on mine, the original one and one got from a V8 (which is currently installed). Both of them do not allow much of tightening. When I loosen the nut I cant even do a full turn on the inner hex screw. I get at best 1/2 turn only and then I hit a stop in both directions. Not sure if this is by design or if something is wrong with the boxes. I do not want to push it harder since I am worried it will damage the box. Might try it with the one installed though since I definitely wont leave it in. Its just too tight. What you can try is getting a rebuild kit. Not sure if they work if you want to tighten up your box or if just your seals and bushings are shot. This is something you could get from the US though.

I've ended up buying a new steering box from Edelmann on RockAuto, I'm sick and tired of having that feeling of no control over the car. The current box has 350k km. I don't think a rebuild kit will fix the box, they only sell new seals, most likely the play is in the worn ball bearings and pitman shaft gear. I checked the intermediate shaft and it is fine, no play in there. I'll review the new box once I install it

[JeanLuke]

Are you sure it is for RHD?