Steering box to frame reinforcement idea

[D60]

Once this guy installs his the "bearing" that goes around the sector shaft nut isn't even square to the shaft.



Hmm, round sleeving over round cocked: round in oval LOL. GM employed a similar tactic: they called it piston slap

But rather than questioning HOW or WHY the steering box gaps from the frame, let's just bury our heads in the sand and give our credit card number to the aftermarket?? I don't get it.

And I actually feel for Synergy - I don't think the JL frames are built with enough precision or repeatability to make a product like this and have it slip on every time. A LOT of things need to align for this to fit right.

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[D60]

I was also amused the one-of-whom-we-do-not-speak installed this.

By his own admission, he hasn't had any problems (neither have I, my steering is tight on 38's), but....ya know....he who dies with the most stuff BOLTED ON to his rig wins -- of course I'm sure he gets all this stuff for free. He made a point to look right at the camera and say, "Good job Synergy."

 

[b1er]

I wish I could weld good enough to get in there and try to sleeve the holes... I may farm this out just to try it and see how it works...

Edit: F Eddie

 

[AnnDee4444]

But rather than questioning HOW or WHY the steering box gaps from the frame, let's just bury our heads in the sand and give our credit card number to the aftermarket?? I don't get it.

This 100%. So many people on this forum are just throwing money at aftermarket parts without even attempting to understand why they may or may not fix their problem.

 

[AnnDee4444]

@15:04 The after still flexes a lot...

 

[D60]

@15:04 The after still flexes a lot...

So I can't tell...I think he's got the camera stationary but of course the entire rig/frame moves as the wheels turn. Didn't notice what he's running for wheels but of course less backspacing or spacers increases scrub radius and multiplies the movement.

Really the camera needs to be frame mounted.

To me the after looks *better* but I just can't tell if it's CURED

@b1er you'd be ahead to throw the cost of the Synergy kit at a local fab shop first.

I also think (and stay w me here for those who really care) you could just weld the outside. In that case I'd like to see a sleeve that "keys" into the inner wall at the steering box.

Soooo...for easy example purposes, say sleeve is 1" OD. Drill outer frame wall at 1". But drill inner wall at box maybe 7/8". Sleeve is turned down to 7/8" OD here, and length of this feature is of course equal to or slightly less than w.t. of framerails. Then just weld at outside wall.

This probably isn't NECESSARY and might just complicate the process, but it ensures the sleeve runs true thru both planes.

 

[Monkeynono]

@15:04 The after still flexes a lot...

It still moved a lot, almost like he didn't tighten the bolts enough.

 

[D60]

It still moved a lot, almost like he didn't tighten the bolts enough.

His gf said it's better so it must be. Geesh man, try to keep up!

In all seriousness, I don't know. I have no doubt the Synergy kit helps, I just don't think it's THE fix and I struggle to believe it strengthens the sector shaft considerably...if we're concerned about the shaft snapping (which has not been the focus of THIS thread)

 

[The Fixer]

What I can't figure out is, why they WOULDN'T sleeve the bolts for the steering box. I thought of this thread when I bolted on a hitch yesterday, and you can clearly see through one of the frame holes that there are sleeves in there where the hitch would be mounted on the rear.

 

[oceanblue2019]

@15:04 The after still flexes a lot...

Pointed that out in another thread, you can see the entire aluminum sector block rocking around in the after shots. This means a lot of side force on it and that bronze bushing will slop out quickly with such side loading. I think D60 nails it - that the Synergy brace is a great concept but too much variance and other issues going on.

I'm running a Rusty's track brace as my Jeep had the track-bar mount weld issue and I felt it was a good add on to supplement the shitty repair weld-job. It helped tighten up the wander at highway speeds but hard to tell how much.

I'm lucky as I'm happy with how my Jeep steers now. I can understand how people get into a rabbit hole trying to solve it by adding more bits and pieces, eventually ending with PSC.

I think a portion of those people come from other vehicle types with rack and pinion/IRS and just not used to how a tractor drives

 

[b1er]

@b1er you'd be ahead to throw the cost of the Synergy kit at a local fab shop first.

I'm not going to buy the Synergy brace as mine is dramatically better than it was with the Rusty's piece I have... I just want to reinforce the frame in that area... I've even considered a drilled 1/4 plate with sleeves welded to it installed between the box and frame and then welded to the frame on both the inner and outer... that would give a larger, thicker mount on the inside and tie both sides together... just weld in the perimeter of the plate on the inside and the sleeves on the outside... I'm lifted on 38's so all it would do is shorten my drag link a little... but I haven't looked to see if that 1/4 inch would put it closer to anything else engine wise or if the extra misalignment would dick with the steering shaft...

I see why no one pushes a real fix when the options are PSC or Redneck Ram... too much money to be made...

 

[D60]

Well actually I think the only REAL fix for the myriad of problems is the PSC kit (or similar).

I just don't like the electric over, I don't like the aluminum steering box, and I want hydro assist anyway 'cause most of what I do is turning locked on slickrock. Also my steering occasionally tries to lock up on cold starts when turning left. The whole system is just lackluster.

Regardless, FCA should be embarrassed running bolts thru box tubing with no reinforcement. I'm surprised some CAD design program didn't throw a fit equal to today's seat belt chimes....

 

[oceanblue2019]

Well actually I think the only REAL fix for the myriad of problems is the PSC kit (or similar).

I just don't like the electric over, I don't like the aluminum steering box, and I want hydro assist anyway 'cause most of what I do is turning locked on slickrock. Also my steering occasionally tries to lock up on cold starts when turning left. The whole system is just lackluster.

Regardless, FCA should be embarrassed running bolts thru box tubing with no reinforcement. I'm surprised some CAD design program didn't throw a fit equal to today's seat belt chimes....

Will be interesting to see if this is one of the areas a Mojave gets thicker/revised frame rails.

 

[2020 Diesel JL]

The issue I see is if you weld on a frame you will void your warranty if noticed. I think the answer is a expanding sleeve that will go into the OEM holes and with new bolts that when installed spread the sleeve out. Once it is tightened you now have a sleeve in place with no welding needed. My JLURD is due to arrive within the next few weeks. I will play with the idea. Designing it should not be hard at all once I know the diameters of all the components involved.

 

[oceanblue2019]

The issue I see is if you weld on a frame you will void your warranty if noticed. I think the answer is a expanding sleeve that will go into the OEM holes and with new bolts that when installed spread the sleeve out. Once it is tightened you now have a sleeve in place with no welding needed. My JLURD is due to arrive within the next few weeks. I will play with the idea. Designing it should not be hard at all once I know the diameters of all the components involved.

Fill the frame rail with cement

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