Steering gear box replacement question

[Paparock1]

My 97 TJ SE has the three bolt mount for the steering gear box, are the boxes the same for the 4.0 Jeeps?

3 questions here: Going to a 4 bolt mount steering gear box, is it as simple as drilling the frame and adding a bolt? drilling the frame and installing a sleeve for the bolt? Or just not installing the third bolt?

I was in a construction zone in town and hit a bump and felt the Death Wobble pre-shimmy. Thank the Lord that it did not develop into full on DW! However it did make me stop and think, Death wobble in heavy traffic would really be bad. I really need to fix this. So please any advise will be helpful

 

[Babygools99]

I would check your suspension components, especially the track bar ends, tie rod ends, hubs, ball joints, etc. Have someone help you do a dry steer test and make sure that nothing has any slop. This is what usually results in death wobble.

 

[Paparock1]

Thank you,
I did forget to add that I have done all the dry steering checks and replaced and fixed everything in the front end.

With the front end in the air. I can grab a tire and simulate DW. I see the pitman arm moving in direct relation to the tire shimmy but my steering shaft (input side) does not move. Now I can move my steering wheel back and forth and the Pitman arms moves in direct relation.

Thank you for the suggestion

 

[Babygools99]

Thank you,
I did forget to add that I have done all the dry steering checks and replaced and fixed everything in the front end.

With the front end in the air. I can grab a tire and simulate DW. I see the pitman arm moving in direct relation to the tire shimmy but my steering shaft (input side) does not move. Now I can move my steering wheel back and forth and the Pitman arms moves in direct relation.

Thank you for the suggestion

Oh okay, that's good then! As far as the steering box goes, im not quite sure. I know alot of people suggest the durango/dakota steering box's. If i remember correctly, they are a direct fit to the 4.0 (3 bolt box) and alot beefier.

 

[Troutbum]

I don't think that your steering box has much of an impact on DW. DW is caused by bad steering geometry. The steering gear does not fix the geometry. It just actuates the movement of the tires from side to side. A bad gear box will create slop and loose steering. If your steering is loose, then a new box will help, but the DW may still show up.

 

[Troutbum]

Oh, and DW may contribute to a premature failure of your steering gear.

 

[mrblaine]

I don't think that your steering box has much of an impact on DW. DW is caused by bad steering geometry.

NO

 

[hosejockey61]

I'd start with absolutely ensuring your tires are balanced and your track bar bolts are tight.

 

[Troutbum]

NO

Am I mistaken? I thought that the relationship of the steering components and the axel were what caused DW. If I am wrong, please disregard my previous posts.

When I bought my current Jeep, the PO had slapped together the steering as an afterthought. It had bad bumpsteer and DW. I corrected the issues with the front end, but the damage to the steering gear was done. I had tons of slop but drove it that way for a couple of years (The jeep was not a daily driver) before I replaced the steering box and removed the major source of the slop.

I guess the purpose of my post is to say that a loose steering box is a symptom of DW not the source of it.

But I am most definitely not a Jeep Superuser.

 

[mrblaine]

Am I mistaken? I thought that the relationship of the steering components and the axel were what caused DW. If I am wrong, please disregard my previous posts.

When I bought my current Jeep, the PO had slapped together the steering as an afterthought. It had bad bumpsteer and DW. I corrected the issues with the front end, but the damage to the steering gear was done. I had tons of slop but drove it that way for a couple of years (The jeep was not a daily driver) before I replaced the steering box and removed the major source of the slop.

I guess the purpose of my post is to say that a loose steering box is a symptom of DW not the source of it.

But I am most definitely not a Jeep Superuser.

If geometry were the cause of DW, then how would one explain the myriad cases of DW where the geometry never changed?

A worn steering gear can cause DW.

DW occurs when the ability of the components that control the tires and locate the front axle is compromised through wear, weakness or viability.

 

[Paparock1]

the following procedure is what I just performed on my gear box. This comes off the redhead steering gear box website.

How Do I Check for Play?
Play can come from several places in the front end. Here is how to isolate and test the steering gear:
• Have the engine running
• Wheels on the ground and gear box on center – to make sure it is on center, go all the way to a lock position and then go half way back.
• With a channel lock pliers reach in above the pitman arm and clamp onto the splines of the sector, if there is not enough room for the large pliers between the housing and the pitman arm, clamp onto the sector shaft nut.
• Holding the pliers tight, wiggle the input shaft right at the box, not at the steering wheel. If you feel any movement in the pliers your play is not coming from within the box. Remember to check at the input shaft and not by moving the intermediate shaft. If the intermediate shaft is loose it will directly replicate play in the box.
• Keep in mind that travel through the gear is greatly reduced, the input shaft will go around completely 3 to 4 times and the output (sector) shaft will move way less than a half of turn. On an eighteen to one ratio box, the input shaft goes around 18 times to 1 time of the sector (output) shaft.
• If you do find that there is play between the input shaft and the output shaft, then watch the input shaft carefully as you turn it back and forth to see if it moves in and out of the box.
• Remember to check the sector shaft for movement and not the pitman arm. If the pitman arm is worn or loose it may not respond quickly when the sector shaft turns.

 

[Paparock1]

interesting read on gear boxes in general, not Jeep specific. I am not in any way recommending any company but this is just some good information. I felt it is worth a share.

https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com...1/images/document/TDR98-pgs48-51 Red-Head.pdf

 

[hosejockey61]

interesting read on gear boxes in general, not Jeep specific. I am not in any way recommending any company but this is just some good information. I felt it is worth a share.

https://www.dieselpowerproducts.com...1/images/document/TDR98-pgs48-51 Red-Head.pdf

Good article....makes me wish I could find better ball bearings to help eliminate swap. PSC is probably the way to go but it comes with a hefty price tag (as do all quality components).

 

[mrblaine]

Good article....makes me wish I could find better ball bearings to help eliminate swap. PSC is probably the way to go but it comes with a hefty price tag (as do all quality components).

Not a fan of the price at all. That's why I encourage folks to put it off until they have other option.

 

[Paparock1]

Well, I ordered a redhead 18510. My brother has a redhead gearbox in his blazer with 44 inch tires. He loves it.

 

[Troutbum]

If geometry were the cause of DW, then how would one explain the myriad cases of DW where the geometry never changed?

A worn steering gear can cause DW.

DW occurs when the ability of the components that control the tires and locate the front axle is compromised through wear, weakness or viability.

I stand corrected. Thanks MrB!