I have a 2000 tj and I just had a bunch of work done to it. Alignment, all Nuer control arm bushings throughout and an alignment. I have a wander from left to right and it really annoying. I did another dry steer test and my steering box pitman arm is moving side to side on the shaft that goes into the steering box over 1/8 inch ranch way,,, is that shaft supposed to move? I can feel it all act my suspension in the front when I hold on to all the steering bars to check for worn parts. Everything is new but it is a remand box.. would that cause a drifting wandering issue if the box is sloppy ?
Steering box question
- Thread starter Joethrottle81
- Start date
Do you still have your alignment sheet that shows your before and after alignment numbers? If you do can you post a good clear photo of it so we can see what the numbers are?
If they're good then yep it's likely your steering box. Make sure to go with a good brand and make sure not to install a Cardone which is a POS that many suspect of not actually rebuilding them. More like just cleaning and painting them and putting them into a box.
If they're good then yep it's likely your steering box. Make sure to go with a good brand and make sure not to install a Cardone which is a POS that many suspect of not actually rebuilding them. More like just cleaning and painting them and putting them into a box.
It’s a cardone box too
I am pissed I put it in.. I tried to get the alignment sheet today and misplaced the old one and the guy at the off-road shop told me he printed it out and didn’t save it. So that sucks but this shop in Manchester nh was highly recommended and they had some awesome jerps being worked on. So I think he’s a good mechanic and been in buisness for years and years. Anyway I have replaced everything on this Jeep. I’m lost . It wanders and darts left and right at any speed and I can keep it on the road it just takes all my concentration. Sometimes it’s not bad at all and then out of nowhere bammmmm it’s over to the left or right. What ever way it feels like. Even on a flat road that is perfect. Very odd. But the sector shaft that holds the pitman arm looks like it came downn1/4 inch and moves left and right in the bearing 1/8 inch or more. It’s the only thing that makes noise. I just can’t believe a steering box can make a Jeep wander so badly. It’s a first for me. I kno sloppy steering but this is wierd. It feels good when on the throttle but as soon as I’m just maintaining speed it starts goin left and right. But then again it does it when on the throttle sometimes too. When I hit bumps it’s stays straight for the most part but on flat road and doin 40 it feels like I’m getting pushed right and left by huge gusts of 
wind
I’m lost. But I will figure this out. I hope it’s just the box. thanks for any help, I really appreciate it
I am pissed I put it in.. I tried to get the alignment sheet today and misplaced the old one and the guy at the off-road shop told me he printed it out and didn’t save it. So that sucks but this shop in Manchester nh was highly recommended and they had some awesome jerps being worked on. So I think he’s a good mechanic and been in buisness for years and years. Anyway I have replaced everything on this Jeep. I’m lost . It wanders and darts left and right at any speed and I can keep it on the road it just takes all my concentration. Sometimes it’s not bad at all and then out of nowhere bammmmm it’s over to the left or right. What ever way it feels like. Even on a flat road that is perfect. Very odd. But the sector shaft that holds the pitman arm looks like it came downn1/4 inch and moves left and right in the bearing 1/8 inch or more. It’s the only thing that makes noise. I just can’t believe a steering box can make a Jeep wander so badly. It’s a first for me. I kno sloppy steering but this is wierd. It feels good when on the throttle but as soon as I’m just maintaining speed it starts goin left and right. But then again it does it when on the throttle sometimes too. When I hit bumps it’s stays straight for the most part but on flat road and doin 40 it feels like I’m getting pushed right and left by huge gusts of wind I’m lost. But I will figure this out. I hope it’s just the box. thanks for any help, I really appreciate it
1tondiesel
New Member
I'm having the same issues, I have a 1998 I bought it with a 4 inch lift already installed. I replaced the stock upper and lower control arms front and rear with adjustable arms, adjustable track bars, drag link and tie rod it has 31's on it and had it aligned. It drives straight but when you go into a slight turn the wheel stays there it won't return to center. If I go into a hard turn either left or right it will return to almost center I still need to help it the rest of the way. Is it possible that I need a new steering box? Everything has been replaced, here are the alignment numbers.
Rubicon88
TJ Addict
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