Steering Gear Box Rebuild

[Deerhunter30]

Back fireing problem

Has anyone ever rebuilt a steering gear box? Mine is leaking some fluid, but works fine otherwise. It appears that it would be a little over $100 to buy a new one. Someone told me that you could replace the seals. Anyone ever done that?

 

[84_CJ7]

For what it's worth, I am having the same problem in my old Ford pick up. My mechanic advised me not to rebuild but to buy a new box. He said I would be money and aggravation ahead in the long run. Yes they can be rebuilt but many times don't ever operate to satisfaction. Some food for thought from someone who is in the same boat.

Scott

 

[Sunbow]

The gear box on my 83 CJ7 was leaking pretty bad. I decided to try some Lucas gear box stop leak, and it seems to be working so far. I've never been big on stop leak additives, but figured it was worth a shot in this case. I think the stuff was about $8 and if they say if you use two bottles and it still leaks they'll refund your money.

Sunbow

83 CJ-7, 258, Ford Ignition Upgrade, Nutter Bypass, T5, Dana300 Twin-sticked, NO CHROME

 

[84_CJ7]

The gear box on my 83 CJ7 was leaking pretty bad. I decided to try some Lucas gear box stop leak, and it seems to be working so far. I've never been big on stop leak additives, but figured it was worth a shot in this case. I think the stuff was about $8 and if they say if you use two bottles and it still leaks they'll refund your money.

Sunbow

83 CJ-7, 258, Ford Ignition Upgrade, Nutter Bypass, T5, Dana300 Twin-sticked, NO CHROME

I think I'll give it a try. Worst case I still need a gear box. What have I got to lose?

Scott

 

[89 jeep yj]

Please tell me where you can get a gear box for only 100.00 I need one. Thanks

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market is a great source for used steering boxes.

I wouldn't recommend rebuilding a steering box. I've seen the rebuild instructions, I quickly put them down and stepped away. You will be time and aggravation ahead to buy a new or used box.

Consider a '98 or '99 Dodge Durango steering box, it's a bolt-in upgrade to more steering power.

 

[xt master]

I used some stop leak in mine also,didnt seems to have stopped leaking for now.I will not put the money into a new box untill I get a skid pan for it.With out a skid pan I would just hit off something again,dont really understand why they mounted them so they are the lowest point in the front of the jeep

 

[jps4jeep]

Yes you can rebuild, done it, not worth the time and effort unless the new box costs mucho dinero..

Junk yard box is the way to go.

 

[Crazy4diesels]

Hey there Deerhunter30, If the box works OK and is just leaking you can change the seals. I don't know what type box you have but I did the seals on my Dodge truck (Saginaw box, AKA General Motors). It was not too hard to do. The only tricky part is, on the type with the big adjuster plug around the shaft, you need to get your drag adjustment set back after you get it back together. It took me a few tries with the spanner wrench and huge channel locks to get it right. You have to hold the adjuster plug with the spanner and prevent it from moving while you tighten the lock nut with the channel locks. My input shaft had worn out pretty bad (over 200,000 miles on it) so I sourced one from a junk yard. The old shaft had a bad groove worn into it from the seal. I did not want to swap my whole box because mine worked fine and I was worried I'd get a bad one. So, if you don't have wear (sloppy feel) in your box you might consider a seal kit from NAPA. Just keep everything really clean when you work on it, set your input shaft drag, and oil up your new seals before installation. Best of luck - John