Lower Steering Shaft Replacement Options

[Wildman]

Okay I know we all HATE shopping Quadratec but I am just looking at parts for now and will get them where ever I can find the best deal.

While working on the Jeep today I noticed that my pillow block bushing had come apart so I did a search and found out you have to replace the complete lower steering shaft.

Quadratec lists 3 different ones for the TJ.

Borgeson:

https://www.quadratec.com/products/56113_902.htm
Mopar:

https://www.quadratec.com/products/56113_0010.htm
Crown:

https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-automotive/lower-steering-shaft-wrangler-tj
Any comments as to which one others have used? I know Borgeson is suppose to be the best. What is the difference between the Crown and the Mopar?
Also while doing this search I came across this raised pillow block bracket for those of us running a body lift. I'd never heard that you needed this if you had a boady lift.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/12590_042X_PG.htm
What have all of you used when replacing their steering shaft?

 

[Chris]

Borgeson is supposed to be very good from what I've heard.

The difference between Crown and Mopar is that Crown is made in China, and is likely going to be Chinese quality parts, whereas Mopar is built to OE specs, so it's going to last longer, almost no question about that.

I want to say that there was a thread a while back about that steering shaft riser bracket, and the consensus was that it wasn't needed. I may be wrong, but that's what I recall. I believe @jjvw was part of that thread.

@AndyG recently replaced his steering shaft with a Borgeson.

 

[Wildman]

Here is the thread from AndyG and he said don't waste your money on the Borgeson shaft.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tj-steering-shafts-and-bearings-what-i-know.26680/#post-561486

 

[Chris]

Here is the thread from AndyG and he said don't waste your money on the Borgeson shaft.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tj-steering-shafts-and-bearings-what-i-know.26680/#post-561486

No shit? I thought he said the opposite.

Well, I guess that's good to know.

In that case I would go Mopar if you have a choice.

 

[Wildman]

Here is the thread where they talk about the raised bracket. I know we use to use them on trucks we were doing a 3 " body lift on. Not sure it's needed for a 1.25" lift. But who knows.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tight-steering-after-lift-install.26068/#post-421967

 

[Wildman]

Another interesting find for those of us with a V-8 swap. Of course they don't say what it does.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/add-713093p

 

[Wildman]

Wonder if we could do something like this?

 

[Irun]

It's been a couple years ago, but I installed a Crown replacement and had zero issues. Back when I ordered mine, it was from Summit. I did a quick check today and they still seem to have the best price. The only issue I saw was the shipping date was listed as May 19. Maybe Quadratec will price match?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MI3ouJoOaj6QIVzMDACh0CCwF8EAQYAyABEgIJQ_D_BwE
FWIW, the steering shaft bearing is a part that many people fail to realize needs maintenance also. I found this on my LJ recently, while doing a PSC install. I was able to clean it up, grease it and put it back together. When I did, I also took the opportunity to replace the bracket with a M.O.R.E 1" riser bracket. This is the second one of these I've installed and the primary advantage I've seen is the steering shaft no longer rubs on the bottom of the boot that goes through the firewall. This rubbing was caused by the BL, resulting in some steering squeaking and a hole being worn in the boot. With the M.O.R.E bracket installed the problem was eliminated.

 

[jjvw]

[QUOTE="Wildman, post: 574008, .... Not sure it's needed for a 1.25" lift. But who knows.

...
[/QUOTE]

It isn't.

 

[Wildman]

It isn't.

When I did, I also took the opportunity to replace the bracket with a M.O.R.E 1" riser bracket. This is the second one of these I've installed and the primary advantage I've seen is the steering shaft no longer rubs on the bottom of the boot that goes through the firewall. This rubbing was caused by the BL, resulting in some steering squeaking and a hole being worn in the boot. With the M.O.R.E bracket installed the problem was eliminated.

[/QUOTE]




If it stops the shaft from wearing on the boot as Irun mentions then yes it could be helpful. Back 25+ years ago I know we did them on BL on trucks but those were 2 & 3". I just need this fixed as there isn't any sense in doing all the work I've done only to have CRAPPY steering. But as always I do appreciate the input and your experiance. I saw in one of the other thread that you had installed one yourself.

 

[Steel City 06]

I ended up buying a Mopar lower shaft for the 97-02 for my 2006 with the PSC box. It fit with zero issues. I considered the Borgeson, but decided it wasn't worth the extra cost. The Borgeson does not come with any carrier bearing.

I also have the MORE steering shaft riser. I installed it after noticing a slight regular tightness in the wheel a while back. The riser seemed to make a difference, though a small one. I would buy one again if I had to. It seems to make the steering marginally smoother.

 

[Wildman]

I ended up buying a Mopar lower shaft for the 97-02 for my 2006 with the PSC box. It fit with zero issues. I considered the Borgeson, but decided it wasn't worth the extra cost. The Borgeson does not come with any carrier bearing.

I also have the MORE steering shaft riser. I installed it after noticing a slight regular tightness in the wheel a while back. The riser seemed to make a difference, though a small one. I would buy one again if I had to. It seems to make the steering marginally smoother.

If the Borgeson shaft doesn't come with a pillow block where do you get it separate? And if you can buy it separate for the Borgeson shaft why can't we do the same with our stock shafts?

 

[Steel City 06]

If the Borgeson shaft doesn't come with a pillow block where do you get it separate? And if you can buy it separate for the Borgeson shaft why can't we do the same with our stock shafts?

I have never seen it sold separately, except for part-outs. That’s one of the reasons I skipped the Borgeson

 

[Wildman]

I have never seen it sold separately, except for part-outs. That’s one of the reasons I skipped the Borgeson

I went and looked on their website and they don't say anything about it or what you are suppose to do either. Rather non-descriptive site for all they do.

On a side note as I have been looking at different shafts and then the accessories that may or may not benefit these shafts I see a lot of these parts asking if it is a 2.5 or 4.0. Does anyone have any knowledge as to what differences are between the two?

 

[Steel City 06]

I went and looked on their website and they don't say anything about it or what you are suppose to do either. Rather non-descriptive site for all they do.

I believe the instructions tell you to reuse the carrier bearing by transferring it to the new shaft. It seemed to defeat part of the purpose of replacing the shaft. The carrier bearing just slides off once the shaft is disconnected

 

[jjvw]

If it stops the shaft from wearing on the boot as Irun mentions then yes it could be helpful. Back 25+ years ago I know we did them on BL on trucks but those were 2 & 3". I just need this fixed as there isn't any sense in doing all the work I've done only to have CRAPPY steering. But as always I do appreciate the input and your experiance. I saw in one of the other thread that you had installed one yourself.

The difference was so subtle that I don't know it was real or not.

 

[Wildman]

The difference was so subtle that I don't know it was real or not.

Okay.

 

[Wildman]

Here is Borgeson's reply to me asking them about the pillow block.

You will have to find a replacement somewhere. We don’t sell the bearing. The shaft is intended to be used with the stock one.



Joshua Barber

860-482-8283

9 Krieger Dr.

Travelers Rest SC, 29690

 

[someguysjeep]

since it's a small u joint i moved mine up...........wasn't a have to thing, just my OCD with the increased angle and knowing the shallower angle lets the joint turn easier. we try and line all the rest of our joints to work with minimal angle, why not this 1, was my thought.

 

[dbbd1]

What about McGuire bearing, for a replacement bearing?

Side note- I also raised my steering shaft. Like most, not a "need to" but mine was rubbing on the boot and the thought of a decreased angle was good. (Also, with the virus thing, I had time)