For me, this isn't odd, it's everything I do on the Jeep. Can't be easy and can't just do it once. It's like having a high maintenance prima donna for a wife, nice for public view but get her home and "don't touch me".

*LOL*

Yep. High maintenance for sure...

Puts out damn near often as you want though.

I'm finally into replacing the steering box. I got the replacement from the parts store and went to mount it. Right from the get go, the mounting tab threads were boogered. I cleaned them out and got the box mounted. Started to hook up the high pressure side fitting and it wouldn't start. I checked the low pressure fitting and it went right in. So I messed with the high pressure for about 45 minutes and it still wouldn't start straight, kept going in crooked, so that means the threaded fitting hole in the box is bad. I'm going to get a new factory high pressure hose and see if it'll then fit into the high pressure inlet. If not, the steering box is going back for replacement AGAIN.

I pulled the box back off last night and using the high pressure hose from my junk '95 ZJ, slowly worked it into the box. It kept wanting to go off cocked, but I convinced it I was master. Finally got it threaded all the way in, worked it in and out several times and mounted my original high pressure hose. Got everything re-mounted (I can pull and mount a box blind folded now), system bled and seem to have good steering. I'll see how that goes.

On a side note, I've a friend that's bringing his XJ over tonight for me to swap out his steering box. Bet it'll go lickity split with no problems.

*LOL* Sounds like a fun time! I know I was ready to tear my hair out when I was trying the thread a new high-pressure line into my steering box on the 92...

What a PITA. Those high & low pressure lines are worse than coaxial cable!

Like I figured, I got my buddys steering box installed the other night with few problems. He says it's better than it's been for years. Go figure................



Would you believe it looks like I'm going to have to yank this new one as well. Waaaayyyyy too much play in the wheel (all over the road) and I can't center the steering wheel (it's now at 45 deg angle, while workable, not preferable). I've adjusted both tie rod ends to the max.

I'm going to Federated this morning and have the man actually look at what THIS problem is and see what he recommends. I just may have him order in another box and I'll take everything with me to check it out. I've got hose fittings, sector shaft marked for center, a pitman arm, mounting bolts, everything to check one out this time.

If he can't get another one in that actually looks like it'll work, screw it, I'll bite the bullit and get a used one from U-pull-it. I'm just tired of being under the hood.

That seriously sucks...

How many boxes has this been?!

This one will make 5.........

I'm about to join the replace-a-box club soon. But not onthe XJ...

Oh no. Not me...

I had to do something even dumber than before, when I bought that YJ...

Hey, wait a minute....... You trying to test me or something. That pic is no YJ, it's a TJ.

Yep!

I decided to give frames another try, and snagged a 97 TJ with the 4.0 I6, automatic, 215K and lots of odd issues. It was cheap, but needs a lot of work. This time though, I'm seeing it through. I'll have a build/update thread once I get it on the road, and can go from there. I just thought I'd sneak preview it here first! *L*

We call her 'Roxy'.

As they said in S. Africa at the World Games, "Let the Games begin".........

P.S. The new steering box seems to be working well. I'll be testing it offroad this Sunday.
My steering wheel isn't centered and I have no adjustment left and am a bit perplexed as to why. But, it's livable, at least until I figure out a cure.

^^ Totally. It should be ready for the safety & e-test soon though.

I wonder why there's no adjustment left... There's only one or two ways the Pitman arm can go on, right?

It has to do with the centering of the steering box input to the output shaft. There are so many degrees left/right and still be in tolerance. On a stock vehicle it seems to be less noticeable as well as the tie rod adjusting sleeves are narrower. My sleeves are not stock and are a bit wider in addition to the locking nuts. I'm figuring I'm loosing about 3/4" over stock. So, figure in re-builders not so good shaft centering and my longer sleeves pushes things to the max.

I have a spare sleeve that I'm thinking of cutting 1/2" off either end. Doing that should give me enough adjustment to center the wheel. Either that or I pull the steering wheel off and clock it for alignment.

Wow, now that's a whole kettle of fish I'd hate to deal with...