Steering box rebuild

[Unclewolverine]

1. are steering boxes hard to rebuild?
2. If I do rebuild it, is there a mod I can do cheaply to make the steering lighter, like power steering was in 70's cars?

(This is in my rhd.)

 

[XJI6191]

I guess it depends on your skill set - but I gave up on the idea of rebuilding my old one as a spare, after I'd replaced it with another I had.

b-t-w if you find the spacer's broken, don't pay silly money for a new one (unless you really want the mega expensive steel one) pm me, as both mine came off intact.

 

[Unclewolverine]

My skill set is between being able to do a full engine rebuild, but not an auto transmission rebuild. i tried rebuilding one on my astro van years ago and couldn't figure it out, but that was a long time ago. I have a manual box on there my xj right now but it's getting stiff so I figured it's time to start gathering all the pieces to put it back to power. Buying everything new would be over $500!

 

[old_man]

I have done over a hundred box rebuilds. It is tedious and requires some specialized tools to do it easier. The reason I quit rebuilding is that it became impossible to get good quality seals and half the boxes would leak no matter what.

 

[Black1990jeep]

the factory manual details the rebuild. read that. you will need some special tools,

A nice up grade is a swap with a gear box from a Dodge Durrango there are a couple years of Dodge gear boxes that are a direct fit into the jeep. the dodge gear box is larger, stronger. I did that swap, got a junk yard Durrango gear box, using stock jeep pump. works nice

plenty of how too write ups for this swap can be found on the interweb.

I paid something like 60 bucks for the good used Durrango box at Pick n Pull. I found one from a low mile junk Dodge, the fluid was clean, so I pulled that one from the wrecker. works fine.

 

[Unclewolverine]

Please read the post. Durangos don't come in right hand drive.

 

[XJI6191]

I understand your frustration but, just remember, some folk are so keen to help/share their knowledge, they just jump in.

 

[GravyDavey]

Great video of a Saginaw rebuild. https://youtu.be/4ZFmeJY7NFc

 

[75SV1]

I've done 3 gear boxes. First you will need beam or dial type inch-lb torque wrench. So, about $100 used. I prefer the instructions from the 2000 FSM. I actually think the Mercedes-Benz instructions are a bit better. If only doing one, I'd check out Red Top or Blue Top to get it rebuilt.

 

[XJI6191]

Great video of a Saginaw rebuild. https://youtu.be/4ZFmeJY7NFc

Interesting, although did wonder how relevant/realistic it was going tp be when I saw how easily he undid the lines (certainly wasn't my experience), then the proof that removing the pitman arm is well nigh impossible; all in all an excellent demonstration that it's not really a D-i-Y proposition - not even to cure the leak round the output shaft, which is all that was wrong with mine.

 

[GravyDavey]

I really enjoy his video style too. Good up close detail, no music or talking.

 

[XJI6191]

I really enjoy his video style too. Good up close detail, no music or talking.

Style was an object lesson in "how to do" vids, I was taken from the get go but I was hoping it would teach me more than what I already rather feared.