steering box

[eldiablo]

I have been fighting with the death wobble for some time now. I have replaced the steering stabilizer/track bar/3 alignments/track bar drop. I now think it's the steering box. I locked the steering wheel and lifted the front so the axle was floating. I can move the wheels back and forth without the rod from the steering box to the steering wheel moving.
Does anyone know if the steering box in a cherokee is the same number as any other jeeps? I want to keep costs down and figure it might be better to search on more than one vehicle.

[Ashmanjeepxj]

My steering has been getting worse and worse, I can only do a MAX of 45mph even on a smooth road, but at 44mph its FINE???
My steering responce feels OK, there is not an unnsual amount of play Ive had other cherokee owners give it a drive and non cherokee owners and all three have said it feals better then theirs but at 46MPH its goes into an insane unpredictable SHAKE.

I have 4.5 in rough country lift witch included lower control arm extension, sway bar extensions, and of corse 4.5 in of SPRING lift with new shocks. I also have BFG Mud 32X1150s at 30 PSI WERE first mounted about 2.5 months ago and were computer ballanced.

NEW PARTS:
I first added a NEW steering stabelizer about $37, then TRIED to check the alignment, the shop could not do an alignment because my track bar was too worn. SO I Have added the Rusty's adj Track bar and Bracket VERY NICE aboutn $180, MUCH better then my factory crap but did not help the wobel.

I ordered the Rustys over the nkl Steering Conv. kit aboutn $260, I should get it today I hope So I can install it this weekend. The all new tierods and putting the angles back to OEM should help the steering and I hope the Wobbel!! I also will put a Droped Pitman arm from Rustys its only about .4 inches lower and cost $60 I dont think this will do crap but Ill give it a try. After this I will try another alignment, if it is still loose I figure the only left Weak link is the gear box??

The next on the list is the Geer box!!! do you know how much they cost or if there is an after market version that will be stronger???? I heard it will cost like $300 or more.

After I get the Geer box I will get the Geer box brace from Rustys because for only $60 Its good insurance that I wont break my new gear box on the trail.....

As any troble shooting I started with the cheepest parts and worked up to the LARGE EXpensive components.

My jeep is an 88 so most of this CRAP is WAY to old and should be replace any ways for safety.... I am very impressed with the quality of after market Rusty's PARTS..

If you have any other suggestions let me know.
thanks,

Ive also looked into the Bar Pin eliminators and Control arm Bracket Rienforcements but these will only help the RIDE not the SHake.

[chief88]

Is you steering manual or power? My Cherokee had manual steering, and on the top of the gear was an adjustment point. You put a hex-key in the hole, loosened the locknut with a wrench and either loosen or tighten the gear by turning the hex-key. I don't know if the power gear has an adjustment like this or not. Good luck.

[Ashmanjeepxj]

I have power steering,

Does anyone know if ther hex nut adjustment applies to power steering? Ill have to give my box a look over when I get home.

[Vic]

eldiablo - just a shot in the dark here, I don't even know what the death wobble is, however on a previous old ford truck I once had a steering problem that confused the mechanics for years. Steering wheel kept developing excess "play" despite repeated replacement of the various components, including the steering box twice. One day I was working under the hood when a kid started messing with the steering wheel when I finally learned the cause of my problem. The frame where the steering box was bolted was rotten and the box moved in and out when the steering wheel was turned. This play cause the steering components to wear out prematurely. How the guy replacing the steering box could have missed it is beyond me, but it was missed and chasing problems cost me hundreds when the solution was just a simple welding of a backing plate onto the frame.

This is probably not related to your problem, however, it may be worthwhile double checking each component of the steering system to make sure it is firmly secured. Most of my mechincal headaches have boiled down to very simple fixes that the "experts" missed. Like my current cooling problem, haha.



PS - I've always associated speed related vibrations and wobbles to the tires and their balance. Like currently, I get a rough ride between 75 and 80 miles per hour, but slower and faster speeds are fine. I attributed this to one of the tire's balancing weights falling off. I've assumed that this would be a fact of life since they would tend to fall off when off roading. And that if I wanted to maintain a smooth ride, I would just have to invest in frequent tire balances.

However, this jeep is the newest vehicle I've ever owned, is there more to this?