2000 TJ steering box replacement

Ed Tapanes

Ed Tapanes

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Oct 14, 2018
Messages
3
Location
NE, NJ
Hi all. Have a 2000 TJ that is leaking PS fluid from the steering box. Steering feel isn't bad, but need to refill the PS pump reservoir on a weekly basis.

Have searched extensively for replacement recommendations and found lots of great advice on this forum. Unfortunately, all the links are to discontinued items and there seems to be no clear consensus on who produces a quality steering box replacement.

I found this one on Amazon, but I've heard several disparaging reports on Cardone quality. I also found this one, but have never heard of Detroit Axle before. Is there any consensus on what my best bet is for a quality reman box that won't break the bank (<$200)? Are the units from Quadratrac or 4WD for North of $500 the only dependable options? For that kind of money (which is not in the budget) I'd opt for an AGR unit (had one on my CJ years ago and loved it).

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Avoid Cardone at all costs. The luster on the Durango box is waning, it is a replacement but it's no upgrade. I'd have to ask around for a recommendation for something other than the expensive PSC box. If my present steering box ever gives up l'll figure out a way to go with a PSC.
 
Chris said:
Have you considered going with the Dodge Durango Steering Gearbox Retrofit?

There's plenty of them available, it's supposed to be a good upgrade too.

You'll see if you click that link that there's also links to the various Durango gear boxes on Amazon too.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I have read about the Durango swap and I'm sure it's great for many. But it seems like it really wouldn't offer any advantage to me in my situation (running 31s) and the purchase options appear similar to the stock replacement (Cardone, Detroit Axle, Autozone, etc..) except with the possibility of not being able to get the core charge refunded.

And all the links in that Durango retrofit post are to "Currently Unavailable" items. :-(
 
Jerry Bransford said:
Avoid Cardone at all costs. The luster on the Durango box is waning, it is a replacement but it's no upgrade. I'd have to ask around for a recommendation for something other than the expensive PSC box. If my present steering box ever gives up l'll figure out a way to go with a PSC.
Click to expand...
I'm definitely staying away from Cardone and I'm usually all about buy once - cry once, but I can't swing $500+ to essentially fix a leak.

I've read up on a couple of rebuild articles and watched a couple of videos and it's something I'd be willing to try, but I've also heard lots of stories about people who've rebuilt them only to have them leaking again within a short time.
 
I had a leaky steering box years ago that stopped leaking after I added a good quality stop leak product. I'm not normally a big fan of Lucas but I am pretty sure it was a Lucas stop leak product that was recommended to me that actually worked and didn't cause any future problems
 
  • Like
Reactions: derekmac
I'm interested in what buy auto parts has to offer but I have no idea about there credibility

They offer a high performance gearbox that has a quicker steering ratio, 2.5 turns lock to lock. The standard replacement is between 3 and 3.25 turns LTL.

The TJ could do with a more direct steering ratio
 
So, I’ve had this discussion on Cummins Forum with my 2nd gen. Much heavier front end lol. I just grab the auto parts store box. Life time warranty. Sure, I may have to replace the box annually (which i haven’t had to yet lol), but it’s a free part!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
This is something I need to address on my current saginaw box. Its not leaking, but it does have a ton of play in it. Its a bear to drive. I found a local PSC box on CL for $800, but just dont have that at the moment. Im leaning towards the Amazon refurb OEM box. Someone on here has had good luck in the last year and a half or so with his replacement. IIRC it was $130, which is much easier on the wallet.
 
Paid $125 for a rebuilt one at a local steering gear rebuild shop with exchange of my core. They had one ready to go. Replaced the same day no waiting around for the part to show up :)
 
Wombat said:
They offer a high performance gearbox that has a quicker steering ratio, 2.5 turns lock to lock. The standard replacement is between 3 and 3.25 turns LTL.

The TJ could do with a more direct steering ratio
Click to expand...
Not if you have larger than factory size tires. That quicker 2.5 turn ratio compared to 3-3.25 turns would be like converting your axles from 4.56 to 3.73 which would not be good with anything larger than smallish-factory size tires.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wombat
Wombat said:
Larger diameter would amplify everything and create twitchy steering?
Perhaps the less torque means more stress on the box causing it to fail prematurely?
Click to expand...
Yes, yes, and you'd have a tougher time turning big tires with a steering box with a higher ratio giving fewer turns lock-to-lock. I had a tough time steering a couple times this past weekend with my 35's while rock crawling even with the factory ratio steering box. One time I just could not get the steering wheel to even turn, I had to back up to release the tires which made it a bit tricky at that spot I was in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wombat
You need OE Mopar R2089046AC from Rockauto. period! They price out not too bad.

Not only are the jobber ones of poor quality, they may have the wrong ratio. The AC Delco reman leaked from the get-go and it was a bitch to drive down the road. At center, the slightest input made too much lane movement at highway speeds (and toe was set exact!) The Mopar box is a dream to drive while cornering on the highway. It is now so easy to keep it right in the lane at 60mph. The difference is amazing.
 
Top Bottom