Go Back   JeepBBS > jeep related stuff only > Technical Forum

Technical Forum The main forum for jeep related discussions. Mechanically Inept...

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rating: Thread Rating: 8 votes, 5.00 average. Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-19-2009, 12:42 PM
maddmike maddmike is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 110
tj steering box adjustment

Steering box on my '03 TJ isn't so tight anymore. There is a noticeable amount of play between the turning of the steering wheel and the activation of the pitman arm, leaving a dead spot near the center which allows no steering response. i suspect this may be contributing to steering wander and slop i feel at all speeds (no DW).

I have read that it is possible to make an adjustment to the steering box to eliminate some of the play in it by first straightening the box alignment, loosening the lock nut on the box, and turning the allen screw in 1/8 turn increments with the wheels off the ground, until the play is minimized.

Is this advisable to do on my own, or will catastrophe and steering box failure ensue? I know that these boxes can be touchy...

thanks in advance for any tips.
__________________
'03 TJ, little lift.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-28-2009, 04:33 PM
Kampy Kampy is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Rio Rancho NM
Posts: 28
I was having the same issue with mine, and yes, the boxes can be touchy. I finally got mine straightened out but the adjustment is backwards from what I consider normal. I had about an inch and a quarter wheel play that was dead at the wheels and it took 3/4 of a turn of the adjuster to get it to tighten up.

Here's the kicker...you have to back the adjuster out to get it to tighten. The sector shaft loads from the bottom on the Mercedes boxes and I guess it must be spring loaded somehow. When you back the adjuster out of the box the sector shaft moves deeper into the worm and takes the slop out of the box. You can do it, just go a little at a time and when you are no longer gaining run the adjuster back in an 1/8th of a turn.

Theres actually a procedure in the FSM but you have to pull the box and I'd prefer not to go through the hassle. Just my opinion.

Good luck.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Lee 808 Steering Box dennisuello Technical Forum 3 05-09-2006 10:25 PM
Can the steering box make an occasional 'popping' sound? Jerry Bransford Technical Forum 14 09-11-2004 07:24 PM
Pics of my cracked frame due to running a steering box brace. Handlebars Technical Forum 4 04-19-2003 05:50 PM
Steering box on its way out? Let me know what you think... BMRisko Technical Forum 6 02-24-2002 09:03 AM
What are the tell tale signs of either a steering box or pump going bad? chadjans Jeep Friends Forum 6 12-22-2001 06:59 PM


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
We are not affiliated with Chrysler LLC. Jeep is a registered trademark of Chrysler LLC.
©2001 - 2016, jeepbbs.net. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy