Steering Gear Box

[Bstahl875]

I have a 2002 Wrangler, 4.0 with manual 5 speed.

My steering gear box is leaking. My FIL said to just get a seal repair kit, but I am curious if I should just replace it. The steering is a little sloppy and it drifts on the highway. Thinking maybe replacement is the way to go.

I don’t mud or rock crawl and don’t plan to. If I do go that route should I buy new for a little over $300 or go with the remfd for under $200?

 

[Rickyd]

Who sells a new saginaw box other than psc?

 

[Bstahl875]

I know nothing about Jeeps so I was considering a new one from Napa. Bad idea?

 

[Rickyd]

I don't think its new. Hard to say,might be good might be iffy. I have used redhead with good results on my 3/4 ton.

 

[jjvw]

I know nothing about Jeeps so I was considering a new one from Napa. Bad idea?

The best you will get from a parts store is a remanufactured steering gear. It will have fresh seals, but the worn machining stays that way. It might be less worn and less sloppy than what you have now. It or might be worse. But it won't leak.

 

[deadbeat son]

Lares makes a new (not reman) box for the saginaw TJs, PN 11353. I installed one a few months ago and don't have many miles on it yet. It feels pretty solid; I didn't have any looseness issues with my OEM box, but it leaked like a sieve. Total cost was ~ $400, but I figured it was worth a shot over a reman.

 

[Granite]

I had mine rebuilt by BleepinJeep and he was great to deal with. Mine is the Mercedes box so I wanted to keep it. I shipped it to him and he redid all the seals, cleaned it up, painted it, and shipped it back. On the other boxes (Saginaw, etc) he can even drill ram assist ports for a nominal extra charge. Highly recommended!

 

[hosejockey61]

The best you will get from a parts store is a remanufactured steering gear. It will have fresh seals, but the worn machining stays that way. It might be less worn and less sloppy than what you have now. It or might be worse. But it won't leak.

Napa makes a new box that is pretty heavy duty. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for a stock replacement. Downside is that I don't think you can tap it easily for hydro assist. I found different internals and more ball bearings than usual and just decided to put it back together before screwing it up.

 

[deadbeat son]

Napa makes a new box that is pretty heavy duty. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for a stock replacement. Downside is that I don't think you can tap it easily for hydro assist. I found different internals and more ball bearings than usual and just decided to put it back together before screwing it up.

Holy crap - I just looked that one up and it's $940 + tax. For that price, wouldn't PSC be the logical choice?

 

[Bstahl875]

Lares makes a new (not reman) box for the saginaw TJs, PN 11353. I installed one a few months ago and don't have many miles on it yet. It feels pretty solid; I didn't have any looseness issues with my OEM box, but it leaked like a sieve. Total cost was ~ $400, but I figured it was worth a shot over a reman.

Mine is already loose. I think I may go the Lares route. Thanks for the info

 

[hosejockey61]

Holy crap - I just looked that one up and it's $940 + tax. For that price, wouldn't PSC be the logical choice?

When someone brought it to me it was sub $300.... Same box?

 

[SkylinesSuck]

+1 for the new Lares unit. I've been using it for a few years now with zero issues.

 

[Offline246]

At RockAuto, Lares unit (at least for my 2004) is $429. They also have a BBB Industries unit also listed as "NEW" for $564.

 

[deadbeat son]

When someone brought it to me it was sub $300.... Same box?

I really don't know, it was the only "new" box listed for an '02 TJ on Napa's website. It could absolutely be a different one. At < $300 I would have went for it.

At RockAuto, Lares unit (at least for my 2004) is $429. They also have a BBB Industries unit also listed as "NEW" for $564.

I bought it 3/21 for $351 + shipping and tax. Shame it's went up so much. It is made in China if that is a concern for you.

 

[Bstahl875]

Lares makes a new (not reman) box for the saginaw TJs, PN 11353. I installed one a few months ago and don't have many miles on it yet. It feels pretty solid; I didn't have any looseness issues with my OEM box, but it leaked like a sieve. Total cost was ~ $400, but I figured it was worth a shot over a reman.

I’m going for the one from Rock Auto.

 

[Bstahl875]

Just placed the order Thru Rock Auto. The gear box, high pressure line and return line was $443 shipped. Hope it doesn’t take forever to get here!

 

[Foxhound67]

I just replaced mine last weekend with one from Red Head Steering, it's been great so far, came with new seals for the lines.

 

[red02tj]

I’ve also been happy with my red head box, installed in October.