Steering box slack

[alabamaboy54]

I recently put a reman steering box from oreillys on my jeep in an attempt to make my jeep stop wandering all over the road (in addition to many other repairs and upgrades, which can be seen in a few other threads i have started..) and i can still take the shaft where it connects to the steering box and turn it slightly less than 1/4 turn before the pitman arm begins to rotate, thus turning the tires. This is a little tighter than the old steering box but still doesnt feel right. I dont want to get another box from oreillys, so anyone know if this is definately not right, or where i could find another REASONABLY priced box that i could try. The ones im seeing are 350-500 where the one at oreillys is like 168. Thanks

 

[Torxhead]

I'm would guess that the saginaw box you bought is fine. I am not an alignment guru, but I do have some suggestions. If you have a lift kit, it can affect the camber, this can be checked by driving the vehicle and after making a turn, let go of the steering wheel and it should return to center by itself. A front wheels toe out condition can cause wander, this can be checked with a tape measure. You are going to want about a 1/8" or so toe in. With a rig that old there is probably a bad steering coupler that can be checked by for slop where it connects to the box. Then theres the usual suspects like bad rod ends, which can be checked with a pair of channel locks. I did not check your previous posts.

 

[richardoutwest]

Not second guessing you alabama boy on the steering box and not sure what all you have done to keep your jeep from wandering. I followed this thread

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/troubleshooting-correcting-your-steering-4106/

and it really helped mine a ton! Specifically the shims to get me back to 4 degree caster, especially if you have a lift. Cheap way of relocating your spring perches. What size tire are you running? Pretty sure you already know very large and very wide tire will also make it wander. Drop pitman arm if you have a lift, ect.

I thought I knew a bunch but there were things that I overlooked or figured it wouldn't make any difference. Once I followed the thread and got my caster corrected and adjusted the box, mine is great.

I run 32's and so far I have no need to go to an expensive box.

 

[alabamaboy54]

I'm would guess that the saginaw box you bought is fine. I am not an alignment guru, but I do have some suggestions. If you have a lift kit, it can affect the camber, this can be checked by driving the vehicle and after making a turn, let go of the steering wheel and it should return to center by itself. A front wheels toe out condition can cause wander, this can be checked with a tape measure. You are going to want about a 1/8" or so toe in. With a rig that old there is probably a bad steering coupler that can be checked by for slop where it connects to the box. Then theres the usual suspects like bad rod ends, which can be checked with a pair of channel locks. I did not check your previous posts.

Checked camber, and corrected it with shims, slight toe-in (checked many times) put in a perfect condition steering shaft out of a friends rig that we knew was good and checked before installing. All new Moog tie rod ends. I just know that when you move the input of the steering box, the output is supposed to move accordingly based on checking a couple of cj's that a guy i know has that all drive fine (he rebuilds tons of them)

 

[alabamaboy54]

Not second guessing you alabama boy on the steering box and not sure what all you have done to keep your jeep from wandering. I followed this thread

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f99/troubleshooting-correcting-your-steering-4106/

and it really helped mine a ton! Specifically the shims to get me back to 4 degree caster, especially if you have a lift. Cheap way of relocating your spring perches. What size tire are you running? Pretty sure you already know very large and very wide tire will also make it wander. Drop pitman arm if you have a lift, ect.

I thought I knew a bunch but there were things that I overlooked or figured it wouldn't make any difference. Once I followed the thread and got my caster corrected and adjusted the box, mine is great.

I run 32's and so far I have no need to go to an expensive box.

I a around 5 degree caster, running 31x10.5's ( the whole reason in getting it to drive right is so i can go to 33's without killing myself). Im just concerned that the output of the steering box doesnt resond to the input like i have felt and seen on other, well-driving cj's

 

[alabamaboy54]

With this thread I am mainly asking for opinions/experiences with other steering boxes out there, stock replacements or even aftermarket upgraded ones. Any input is appreciated

 

[Torxhead]

An add on steering brace or support can help with larger tires, there are a few different kinds on the aftermarket. Make sure your frame has no cracks in it also.

 

[GatorBate]

As richardoutwest suggested go checkout the thread

Troubleshooting & Correcting your Steering

Near the end he goes into adjusting the steering gear box.

I didn't know how important it is to have it centered when you make adjustment to the worm bearing preload. Mine is loose like yours also. I think I will try to adjust it again before I replace it.

 

[alabamaboy54]

An add on steering brace or support can help with larger tires, there are a few different kinds on the aftermarket. Make sure your frame has no cracks in it also.

Thanks, im going to get a brace even though im pretty sure thats not the problem. Just to eliminate it.

 

[alabamaboy54]

As richardoutwest suggested go checkout the thread

Troubleshooting & Correcting your Steering

Near the end he goes into adjusting the steering gear box.

I didn't know how important it is to have it centered when you make adjustment to the worm bearing preload. Mine is loose like yours also. I think I will try to adjust it again before I replace it.

I have heard about that before and thought about it but everyone i talk to around my location says that if you ever touch that thing, you will never get it back to where it needs to be so im VERY weary to even go near it, but it might be an option soon.