Steel Steering Box Issues

[CjMiller7]

I recently had my Jeep into a shop to help diagnose a pull/drift to the right. It was still pulling after checking all steering components, tire wear, rotation and rebalancing, and alignment. They later discovered that my steering box had a lot of play and could contribute to the issue at hand. They mentioned they had to move the steering wheel more than other JLs when placed side by side before the pitman arm would start to move. They said it’s not necessarily the box pulling away from the frame as much as it is something within the box that is having to much play in it

1. Has anyone had similar issues to this and was the steering box the cause of it?
2. Anyone have a dealer recommendation for possible warranty work in the Denver area?

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[L06An_5]

I had some play myself and read a lot about the issue, specifically on 2018's with the original aluminum steering boxes. I guess their thought was the steel box would fix it and in many cases it reduced the play significantly. I have the steel box but still added a brace (Synergy Front Track Bar & Sector Shaft Brace for 18+ JL/JLU & 20+ JT SYN-8869-01) and it really tightened things up, zero play now. I believe there are several manufacturers out there making this type of brace.

As for the dealer, if all the other steering components are good I don't think they'll do much other than tell you that's how Wrangler's drive.

 

[VKSheridan]

There’s a recall on certain steering boxes that you might want to look into before you spend any cash or get any deeper. It’s been a huge issue for several years but I’m thinking a 2022 surely has the current production box. Have the dealer verify by looking at it and not just assuming.

If you’re running the new style gearbox, verify the drag link is parallel to the axle and centered to the pitman arm. Maladjustment usually follows a backyard lift but maybe the factory didn’t set yours for your model/ride height.

If that’s good and your seeing elevated steering wheel rotation required to move the pitman arm, the most common cause is the worm gear depth adjustment.

Slop at the worm gear (what you described) can be adjusted if the issue is maladjustment versus wear or tooth damage. There’s an adjustment screw and a jam nut easy to find. Don’t get too aggressive as the tighter you bury the worm gear, the more friction (wear) you create.

Cheers

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