Sector Shaft & Steering Box Braces Useful or Useless?

[Negreac]

So I know on JKs and CJs you often see steering box braces and/or sector shaft braces but not so much on TJs. I assume there is a reason for this (i.e weaker sector shafts on JKs or weaker frames on CJs) but yet to find any comment here if this really is a non issue in the TJ world.

There are a few companies offering both for TJs but figured I'd ask those on here with experience breaking things what the consensus is. Obviously best bet would be hydro assist to reduce forces on the sector shaft and steering box mount but these seem like they may be a decent less expensive alternative for those not running hydro.

Sector Shaft Braces

Synergy Jeep TJ/LJ Steering Box Skid with Sector Shaft Brace

Armadillo Armor HD TJ LJ Wrangler Steering Box Skid and Brace

Steering Box Braces (Offered in Variants for 97-02 and 03-06)


Rough Country Steering Box Brace

Warrior Products Jeep TJ Steering Box Brace

Rusty's Steering Box Brace TJ ('97-'02)

MORE Steering Brace for Jeep Wrangler TJ (1997-02)

Genright Steering Box Brace, Jeep TJ (Saginaw box)

 

[Moglocker]

So I know on JKs and CJs you often see steering box braces and/or sector shaft braces but not so much on TJs. I assume there is a reason for this (i.e weaker sector shafts on JKs or weaker frames on CJs) but yet to find any comment here if this really is a non issue in the TJ world.

There are a few companies offering both for TJs but figured I'd ask those on here what experience breaking things what the consensus is. Obviously best bet would be hydro assist to reduces forces on the sector shaft and steering box mount but these seem like they may be a decent less expensive alternative for those not running hydro.

Sector Shaft Braces

Synergy Jeep TJ/LJ Steering Box Skid with Sector Shaft Brace
View attachment 647516

Armadillo Armor HD TJ LJ Wrangler Steering Box Skid and Brace
View attachment 647504View attachment 647514


Steering Box Braces (Offered in Variants for 97-02 and 03-06)


Rough Country Steering Box Brace
View attachment 647508

Warrior Products Jeep TJ Steering Box Brace
View attachment 647542

Rusty's Steering Box Brace TJ ('97-'02)
View attachment 647543


MORE Steering Brace for Jeep Wrangler TJ (1997-02)
View attachment 647510

Genright Steering Box Brace, Jeep TJ (Saginaw box)
View attachment 647545

I use the more with 35s I think it would have to help,if I had a jk I would definitely get the synergy.

 

[tworley]

The problem for TJs is ripping the trackbar mount off the frame. Some have built a stiffener to reinforce that with the passenger side frame rail.

 

[Gilaguy23]

The JL or JK, dont recall which has, or had a aluminum steering box that had sector shafts snapping and were just plain crap. The bean counters at stellantis then invented a steel steering box. Yes, the CJ has a weaker frame as you mentioned. Interesting as your second pic is what was made for the dodge ram trucks back in the 90ies. The steering boxes like to come loose from the frames adding to the rams shit steering system and overall front end problems. There was also a "lukes link" to beef up the trac bar on hopes of eliminating DW on the lamb trucks.

 

[GATORB8]

The JL or JK, dont recall which has, or had a aluminum steering box that had sector shafts snapping and were just plain crap. The bean counters at stellantis then invented a steel steering box. Yes, the CJ has a weaker frame as you mentioned. Interesting as your second pic is what was made for the dodge ram trucks back in the 90ies. The steering boxes like to come loose from the frames adding to the rams shit steering system and overall front end problems. There was also a "lukes link" to beef up the trac bar on hopes of eliminating DW on the lamb trucks.

Aluminum boxes were the early JLs, 18-20. They switched back to steel in 21, and issued a TSB to swap the boxes on the 18-20 if they broke.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

The problem for TJs is ripping the trackbar mount off the frame. Some have built a stiffener to reinforce that with the passenger side frame rail.

Man, having experienced how difficult it is to cut that sucker off the frame, I can't imagine it ripping off...

 

[GATORB8]

I have far more experience on the JL side, but I think one thing that is good to mention is being mindful of the bearing used to support the sector shaft.

On our JL I used the Steersmarts track bar reinforcement and sector shaft brace that utilizes a sealed roller bearing. https://steersmarts.com/collections...-bar-reinforcement-bracket-2024-part-79041001

I've seen complaints over the last couple years with other bearing types from different manufacturers. Specifically non roller bronze bearings. I remember some of the complaints being Synergy's and looking now it looks like they've changed to a roller bearing for the JLs.

 

[mrblaine]

Man, having experienced how difficult it is to cut that sucker off the frame, I can't imagine it ripping off...

They really don't rip off. What happens is continual flexing of the mount cracks right at the edge of the HAZ, (as it should) and the mount leaves the frame looking like you took a laser to it and cut around the edge of the weld.