steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advice

steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advice
Re: steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advice

gert said:
Input of the steering box is a pretty low speed unit as long as the seal surface is clean you will be fine, some where in the early 80s Saginaw changed from an SAE compression fitting to a metric hose fitting with an o ring. The mounting bolt surface is the same on all the boxes that I am aware of


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Hmm ok I will take my old one to the parts store and see what I can find as far as the hose fittings to match. I'd rather spend a little money than have to take this dang thing off again! Why in the heck do I have to remove my spring hanger to take out the steering box?!

Thanks again Gert!!
 
Re: steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advice

tarry99 said:
:)



OEM AMC CJ 1980's vintage Steering gear was either a Saginaw 700 or 800 HD gear box.



4 bolt mount with the 13/16" 36 spline I believe input shaft...........your gear box can be rebuilt to a variable ratio just like the Hummer box that everyone seems to be in Love with!



And variable ratio , simply means that the gear box ratio will be slow in the middle and faster out at the edges................meaning that going down the road straight ahead (especially) in a short wheel base vehicle the steering input signal to the Piston inside will be at it's slowest point ( less wandering) ............once you start to turn L/R the ratio speeds up so the turn can be accomplished quicker.



I would find a compendent re-builder and get your own fixed...........PSC in Texas would be a good choice.



:D:D:D:D
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Thanks for the input Tarry! I'll look into this tonight. From what I remember PSC was $$$ but could be worth it if I didn't have to worry about it leaking for several years.
 
What ever 'box' you chose. I would suggest using Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak fluid for the steering system.
I have run this since it first came out. Have never had a PS issues and still run my OEM box with 122K miles on on it.
YMMV,
LG
 
Lumpy Grits said:
What ever 'box' you chose. I would suggest using Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak fluid for the steering system.

I have run this since it first came out. Have never had a PS issues and still run my OEM box with 122K miles on on it.

YMMV,

LG
Click to expand...


I've use that stuff before! It does work but this time it was literally squirting fluid out of the seal. This CJ was my dad's DD when I was growing up. The odometer says 177,XXX but I'm pretty sure it has way more miles on it than that. This box has leaked off and on through the years. I'll make sure to use the Lucas stuff in my new box.

I'll try and run to the parts store tomorrow afternoon and let y'all know what I find.
 
I've seen it sold at Wal-Mart.
LG
 
Lumpy I have 235 K miles on my steering box and so far not leaking. For future reference I will keep the Lucas fluid in mind. What is in it to stop leaks? Thanks in advance
 
Not sure what all is in it. It's thicker than normal PS fluid.
LG
 
Years ago they used castor oil and ground up shells
The shells would mix with the oil and flow to the leak and clog it.
Now they use petroleum distillate = mineral spirits, kerosene, white spirits, naphtha, and stoddard solvents.
Petroleum distillate works by softening and swelling the seal, depending on the condition of the seal petroleum distillate can disintegrate the seal as well.
If your seal is too far gone stop leak most likely won't help, but if your seal is in fair condition, our like LG use it on a new pump, it should do it's job.
I think the products are getting better, and will continue to improve.
 
Thanks Posi. Sometimes I'm a little leary about adding or changing something from the norm. Sometimes something can go south real quick from doing something you think might be good
 
Alright well I can't find an H1 steering box in the store or on the internet but have found lots of info on other forums including this one that says that the H1 box is a direct bolt on for 80+ CJ's. The link below is probably the the best info that I have found but again.. They apparently don't make them anymore.

For Those who installed an H1 box... - JeepForum.com

I have need to try and put my hands on an 80's model Dodge truck box like Gert suggested. Looking at them online shows that the mounting bolt holes are on the wrong side. Ill try and confirm this as soon as i find a store that has one.

Thanks for the help guys!
 
ok I was wrong about ^^. They do make and sell them but I'm assuming that they're out of Core's to rebuild them. Since I already have the old seal out, I went ahead and bought a seal kit and Lumpy's magic PS fluid! The seal kit was $7 so the worst case is that it leaks again and I wasted a bunch of time reinstalling the old box.

If it does leak then I will further pursue Gert's recommendation for the Dodge box and or get a J20 box and a manual shaft U-joint for my steering shaft. If anyone wants a HD steering shaft U-joint let me know!
 
Re: steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advice

tarry99 said:
:)

OEM AMC CJ 1980's vintage Steering gear was either a Saginaw 700 or 800 HD gear box.

4 bolt mount with the 13/16" 36 spline I believe input shaft...........your gear box can be rebuilt to a variable ratio just like the Hummer box that everyone seems to be in Love with!

And variable ratio , simply means that the gear box ratio will be slow in the middle and faster out at the edges................meaning that going down the road straight ahead (especially) in a short wheel base vehicle the steering input signal to the Piston inside will be at it's slowest point ( less wandering) ............once you start to turn L/R the ratio speeds up so the turn can be accomplished quicker.

I would find a compendent re-builder and get your own fixed...........PSC in Texas would be a good choice.

:D:D:D:D
Click to expand...

I have a 79' CJ7 and my steering box is loose. My CJ7 is built and I run 36"x 13.50x 15s, and an ARB locker front and rear. All these years and the stock box is just now tired! I called and talked with both AGR and PSC this morning. AGR super 2, steering box is $499 shipped to my door for the standard box, $575. ported and ready if I ever want to upgrade a ram to the system. The pump was $180. PSC was was $900. for the box, shipped to my door. But, PSC will rebuild my steering box that was in my CJ stock, for $200. With all the internal upgrades added. And they said turn around is only a week. They changed to the steering box with o rings in 80' on the CJ according to both company's. With the info. I found today, My thought is to go with the AGR super pump, and send my present box to PSC for a rebuild. The info. terry99 wrote is correct and confirmed by both AGR and PSC. Why not send your box in and have it rebuilt? My guess is the Hummer box is the same common 800 saginaw box anyway.
 
Re: steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advice

Greenwithenvy said:
I have a 79' CJ7 and my steering box is loose. My CJ7 is built and I run 36"x 13.50x 15s, and an ARB locker front and rear. All these years and the stock box is just now tired! I called and talked with both AGR and PSC this morning. AGR super 2, steering box is $499 shipped to my door for the standard box, $575. ported and ready if I ever want to upgrade a ram to the system. The pump was $180. PSC was was $900. for the box, shipped to my door. But, PSC will rebuild my steering box that was in my CJ stock, for $200. With all the internal upgrades added. And they said turn around is only a week. They changed to the steering box with o rings in 80' on the CJ according to both company's. With the info. I found today, My thought is to go with the AGR super pump, and send my present box to PSC for a rebuild. The info. terry99 wrote is correct and confirmed by both AGR and PSC. Why not send your box in and have it rebuilt? My guess is the Hummer box is the same common 800 saginaw box anyway.
Click to expand...


:)

Glad you took the time to check that out............most folks are so quick to react when they want to fix there steering and just go buy more junk from Napa , Rock Auto or Amazon........rather than doing the research and or getting there's fixed or upgraded.

And your right , the Hummer Box is the same basic Saginaw 800 with variable ratio added.....

:D:D:D:D
 
Re: steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advice

tarry99 said:
:)

Glad you took the time to check that out............most folks are so quick to react when they want to fix there steering and just go buy more junk from Napa , Rock Auto or Amazon........rather than doing the research and or getting there's fixed or upgraded.

And your right , the Hummer Box is the same basic Saginaw 800 with variable ratio added.....

:D:D:D:D
Click to expand...

Well you caught me. It is a whole lot easier and probably cheaper to buy a new gear box from Napa. My jeep will be more of a "mall crawler" since I live in the coastal low country of Texas. Therefore I have no need for a $900 steering gear box.

I still haven't decided what I am going to do but I will probably give PSC a call today.
 
Re: steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advice

EVERYUSERNAMEISTAKEN said:
Well you caught me. It is a whole lot easier and probably cheaper to buy a new gear box from Napa. My jeep will be more of a "mall crawler" since I live in the coastal low country of Texas. Therefore I have no need for a $900 steering gear box.

I still haven't decided what I am going to do but I will probably give PSC a call today.
Click to expand...

:)
No Problem........I totally understand that everyone has a budget and need for there individual project.......

The point I was trying to make is to encourage everyone to spend some time and do some research , before they go buy a steering gear off the shelf they know little about.

Lots of options , be it New , rebuilt or getting yours rebuilt.

I hear the same questions all the time , will this gear bolt up , How about the Hummer gear or the one out of this Pick-up? will the lines fit? Is this gear a variable ratio , and what ratio is best for my style of driving? what else do I need?...........These are all valid questions that can best be addressed and answered by a competent gear re-builder............and the best news is you already have the gear that fits in your Jeep in your hands...........

Get it re-built and tailored to your needs............no regrets!

:D:D:D:D
 
Re: steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advice

Greenwithenvy said:
I have a 79' CJ7 and my steering box is loose. My CJ7 is built and I run 36"x 13.50x 15s, and an ARB locker front and rear. All these years and the stock box is just now tired! I called and talked with both AGR and PSC this morning. AGR super 2, steering box is $499 shipped to my door for the standard box, $575. ported and ready if I ever want to upgrade a ram to the system. The pump was $180. PSC was was $900. for the box, shipped to my door. But, PSC will rebuild my steering box that was in my CJ stock, for $200. With all the internal upgrades added. And they said turn around is only a week. They changed to the steering box with o rings in 80' on the CJ according to both company's. With the info. I found today, My thought is to go with the AGR super pump, and send my present box to PSC for a rebuild. The info. terry99 wrote is correct and confirmed by both AGR and PSC. Why not send your box in and have it rebuilt? My guess is the Hummer box is the same common 800 saginaw box anyway.
Click to expand...

I looked at my notes again. I quoted the wrong price to have PSC rebuild my steering box. It was $235. Sorry about the confusing information!
 
Re: steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advice

Guys while we are on the subject of the great Saginaw box, I was wondering if they came with different steering ratios. I got a rebuilt Cardone box from N.A.P.A. and it does seem to have a looser steering ratio than the CJ box that I had to begin with.
 
Re: steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advice

Torxhead said:
Guys while we are on the subject of the great Saginaw box, I was wondering if they came with different steering ratios. I got a rebuilt Cardone box from N.A.P.A. and it does seem to have a looser steering ratio than the CJ box that I had to begin with.
Click to expand...


:)

Most variables ratio gear boxes are set up to be tight in the middle ( straight ahead ) and loose towards the edges where the ratio picks up to turn the vehicle quicker.
The Basic Saginaw series 700 , 800 and numerous variants have been around in some form or another since the mid 60's when GM started to put them into there passenger cars............since then the same box with again various changes for mounting Etc have found there way into many manufactures beyond the GM lineup........

The Camaro's and other small bodied GM sport & mid-sized cars had variable ratios 800 series boxes available since the late 60's some as an option and others not ( if your old enough to remember GM offered a sport suspension package in these cars that included the steering gear).............so knowing what you want versus getting a box from NAPA , Rock Auto or some parts guy that just cross references the part number over to several applications where it will fit is pretty important............that's why I like to get mine rebuilt so there is no question and no surprises , or if I'm going to hydraulic assist I buy a new box...........no mystery here for the guys that know there business.

:D:D:D:D
 
Re: steering shot - "upgrade" vs OEM advi

I do know there are different ratios. Someone with the info. should post the information in a sticky for all to review when needed.
 
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