Steering Box

[Dzimm]

I believe the steering box in my 95XJ is going bad.  I've got a clunking and poping when turning left and a slightly less bad clunk turning right.  It's also covered in fresh fluid, doesn't leave a puddle and doesn't appear to be dropping the fluid level much but it's pretty bad underneath.  I will double check the trackbar for the clunk but regardless I need to address the steering box.

 

My question, buy new or rebuild?  New (reman) they are $100 or more, a rebuild kit is like $20.  Has anyone done a rebuild and how rebuildable are they for someone at home?  I'm currently daily driving this rig so it would need to be a one day fix.  

[Minuit]

You can spend a LOT of money on a fancy pants rebuilt steering box. The advantage here is that it's more or less the same unit that almost every domestic manufacturer used at some point, so there's a lot of institutional knowledge and "boutique" rebuilds out there.

 

I have heard very, very bad things about parts store reman steering boxes.

 

With that having been said, I'd give the rest of the suspension another look before suspecting the steering box as your clunk. If the box is loose, there is a procedure to adjust it that MUST BE DONE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE - follow the FSM for the exact procedure, or when I get a chance I can scan it and put it up on here.

 

If you do determine the steering box needs to be replaced, now is a good time to upgrade to the 12.7:1 quick ratio ZJ box. It will provide a noticeable improvement in steering response for not much money, and since I adjusted mine out of the vehicle it drastically tightened the steering as well - probably not as good as a brand new or boutique reman, but not bad either. I would caution you to avoid parts store remans in this case too, since they don't seem to keep the gear ratios correct for the application, so you could very well spend all that time and money to end up with the same slow 14:1 ratio you started with.

 

I've never rebuilt one, but it doesn't seem too terribly complicated. I think the main concern is cleanliness. It doesn't take much crud in a power steering system to do damage.

[Dzimm]

I will certainly check over the suspension again. 

 

Good to know about the parts store boxes, I'll look around online for a decent one.  Any suggestions on where to go for a good price with good product?

 

I'm not looking for any sort of upgrade as this is just a bone stock xj I use as a winter DD and it's pretty rusty.  Want to stay as budget friendly as I can as well.

[75sv1]

I have rebuilt 2-3 gear boxes. You will need an Inch-Lb torque wrench to set specifications. Bean or dial type, not clicker. Probably on par to rebuilding and engine or transfer case.  I did purchase a Box store gear box. Its doing OK. I'd check Blue Top or Red Top for gear box rebuilds. 

[cruiser54]

Most likely the track bar BRACKET TO FRAME RAIL bolts need to be tightened. Don't just look at them. Tighten them. Known issue from the factory. 

[Smokeyyank]

Check Lares for rebuilds. Other good one is redhead steering. Little bit more than box stores but are here in the states. As for a rebuild I've heard it can be a PITA and really that's one of those things that you don't want to hope it's done right IMHO. 

[WahooSteeler]

Rock Auto has Lares and AC Delco reman units. On the Lares unit you actually send yours to them through Rock Auto for the rebuild.  

[AZJeff]

Just now, WahooSteeler said:

Rock Auto has Lares and AC Delco reman units. On the Lares unit you actually send yours to them through Rock Auto for the rebuild.  

I got tired of buying crappy reman'd boxes for my old F150 from Autozone.  They would get loose after about 2 years.  

 

When it came time for my MJ to get a new box, I went with a AC Delco reman from Rock Auto.    I figure Delco probably took over the responsiblity for the Saginaw Steering gear products from GM, and I surmised that they might actually know more about how to do a reman correctly.   So far, so good, but it's only be about 18 months.

[Andy in Pa]

Rebuilding a steering box is not easy from what I was told.  Its hard to keep from cutting the seals as you slip the assembly back into the housing, and the bearings are hard to keep in place as well.  I would get a good re-manufactured unit.

[75sv1]

15 hours ago, Andy in Pa said:

Rebuilding a steering box is not easy from what I was told.  Its hard to keep from cutting the seals as you slip the assembly back into the housing, and the bearings are hard to keep in place as well.  I would get a good re-manufactured unit.

The main problem I had, was the recirculating balls.  You have to contain them with grease. When I did a Mercedes box, I had it in a vise. I turned for a moment and the shaft turned out. The ball bearing went everywhere.  I would agree, the best is to get a rebuilt box. Especially, if its a one time deal and time is a factor.