Bad steering box 68418449AE

[NC_Overland]

I have another idea and it could be stupid or genius....
I went to my local dealer and checked every JT for the bad steering box. Just open the hood, reach in and turn the steering shaft while watching the steering wheel through the windshield. Its very easy to see if its good or bad. They have 1 bad out of 8 currently. If we ALL do this at lots across the country and post the vin #’s of the bad ones on all social media, maybe they will be forced to fix it. Thoughts?

I did this on mine and the steering wheel moved at every slight motion. Then after a sec, it dawned on me. Of course it does, the steering wheel is directly connected with the steering shaft. That doesn’t prove anything.

What am I missing here? Are you saying that if the steering box is tight, you shouldn’t be able to move the steering wheel? I’m not trying to be a smart ass. Serious question here.

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[Scrubb84]

I did this on mine and the steering wheel moved at every slight motion. Then after a sec, it dawned on me. Of course it does, the steering wheel is directly connected with the steering shaft. That doesn’t prove anything.

What am I missing here? Are you saying that if the steering box is tight, you shouldn’t be able to move the steering wheel? I’m not trying to be a smart ass. Serious question here.

Correct. Well, the wheel will move with enough pressure side to side on a good box. On mine, the wheel is in total freeplay side to side 1-4 inches. That is direct freeplay inside the box. Its the same amount of play when its running, but harder to tell.
Next time your in your JT have your steering wheel center, look at your front tire and turn the wheel from 10 to 2... does your front tire move? Cuz mine doesn’t. Not one dam bit until you go past 10 or 2. And the pitman arm is the same, therefore its 1,000% the steering box.

 

[NC_Overland]

Correct. Well, the wheel will move with enough pressure side to side on a good box. On mine, the wheel is in total freeplay side to side 1-4 inches. That is direct freeplay inside the box. Its the same amount of play when its running, but harder to tell.
Next time your in your JT have your steering wheel center, look at your front tire and turn the wheel from 10 to 2... does your front tire move? Cuz mine doesn’t. Not one dam bit until you go past 10 or 2. And the pitman arm is the same, therefore its 1,000% the steering box.

Thank you for the clarification. Yeah, if yours is that bad, then no steering brace, alignment, steering stabilizer, etc is going to fix that.

I’ll do what you said, but mine isn’t that bad. I think it has a little slop, but not like that...

 

[DaveL]

Thanks so much.
This is very helpful. (Years ago--early '70's--I had a newish Volvo with sloppy steering. I adjusted the Pitman box. I was too eager, and overtightened it. No problem. I just backed it off. It was a big improvement.)
I had sent you a PM....I want to thank you for your posts. Very helpful.

 

[Gottype]

Thanks so much.
This is very helpful. (Years ago--early '70's--I had a newish Volvo with sloppy steering. I adjusted the Pitman box. I was too eager, and overtightened it. No problem. I just backed it off. It was a big improvement.)
I had sent you a PM....I want to thank you for your posts. Very helpful.

Having this test done tomorrow, this is the 4th or 5th trip there for the steering. Hope they can get it fixed .

 

[NC_Overland]

For those who know they have a bad steering box from the factory/manufacturer.
JeepCares & FCAcares say Jeep is aware of the issue but I have my doubts.

New info: I have info that 20 out of 20 of our steering boxes direct from Mopar are in fact bad. There is major valving and adjustment issues with these boxes. The factory adjustment was not correct and the ball sizing in the worm gear needs to be upsized to get the proper fitment for NO freeplay or deadzone.
This explains the binding some have when its cold and super sloppy when its warm. Also explains why out of the 3 boxes Ive had installed under warranty, they are all bad.
We all know that many of them are just fine, but IMO, just give it time before those guys are on here reading this thread.

And what information might that be>

 

[Factoid]

That new information sounds exactly right and its why I have continually said and observed that an improperly adjusted or designed box always gets worse with use.

 

[Scrubb84]

And what information might that be>

That is the info. Cant say where it came from for about 2 weeks tho.

 

[Scrubb84]

That new information sounds exactly right and its why I have continually said and observed that an improperly adjusted or designed box always gets worse with use.

Yup, the worst part is that Jeep has known about this for a few years at least, same issue with JLU’s. Which is the exact same box with a different part number. Pure speculation on this...I think they just changed the part number and called it a “revised box”.

 

[Factoid]

What will be interesting to hear are reports on how dealers respond to people who bring their JT in for the recalled steering box replacement where they have addEd Synergy braces and made other changes trying to reduce the impact of the bad box. Will they honor the recall?

 

[Scrubb84]

What will be interesting to hear are reports on how dealers respond to people who bring their JT in for the recalled steering box replacement where they have addEd Synergy braces and made other changes trying to reduce the impact of the bad box. Will they honor the recall?

Unfortunately I think we all know the answer (until proven wrong) there wont be a recall.
I will have even more details coming out in about 2 weeks.

 

[Rollcast]

For those who know they have a bad steering box from the factory/manufacturer.
JeepCares & FCAcares say Jeep is aware of the issue but I have my doubts.

New info: I have heard (3rd party) that 20 out of 20 of our steering boxes direct from Mopar are in fact bad. There is major valving and adjustment issues with these boxes. The factory adjustment was not correct and the ball sizing in the worm gear needs to be upsized to get the proper fitment for NO freeplay or deadzone.
This explains the binding some have when its cold and super sloppy when its warm. Also explains why out of the 3 boxes Ive had installed under warranty, they are all bad.
We all know that many of them are just fine, but IMO, just give it time before those guys are on here reading this thread.

Interesting

 

[NC_Overland]

That is the info. Cant say where it came from for about 2 weeks tho.

Ok, well in that case let us know when you have more info available.

 

[Gottype]

New info on my original post. Please read.
Gottype, how did your appt go?

Never heard back from them today, will have to wait till Monday and find out what they found.

 

[NC_Overland]

Correct. Well, the wheel will move with enough pressure side to side on a good box. On mine, the wheel is in total freeplay side to side 1-4 inches. That is direct freeplay inside the box. Its the same amount of play when its running, but harder to tell.
Next time your in your JT have your steering wheel center, look at your front tire and turn the wheel from 10 to 2... does your front tire move? Cuz mine doesn’t. Not one dam bit until you go past 10 or 2. And the pitman arm is the same, therefore its 1,000% the steering box.

I just checked mine again. How much play are you getting in the bad ones? Mine only moves like 3/8” before resistance. Maybe slightly more, I was eyeballing it.

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