I have been reading the forums for a long time trying to figure out what to do to fix my Jeeps steering issues.
I wanted to post my findings to hopefully help someone else fix their dangerous steering.
Several have posted similar symptoms - this is what mine was doing.
Could not drive it straight down the road, it lurched from left to right.
It would pull to the left or right whenever a low area or high area was driven over.
There was about a quarter turn of play in the steering wheel, it was a constant fight to keep it in a lane.
The Jeep was a worn out POS when I got it. I was looking for a project and it has not disappointed in that regard.
The entire stock suspension and steering system was replaced, yes it road better the steering was still terrible.
Steering gearbox, a reman, no real change.
Front trackbar, no change.
Ball joints and hub bearings, slight improvement but not fixed.
Upgraded suspension and steering linkage installed, no improvement.
So cut to the chase, I went with a NEW steering gearbox, a Durango model from Lares Corp, this was the only new one I could find.
It handles like it should now.
There are also several post stating there it is difficult to get a good reman, this is true.
My original gearbox was worn out, it was replaced with a crappy reman that drove just as bad as the original.
Going with a NEW gearbox made all the difference in the world.
I got it from Summit Racing, look for a new gearbox for a 1998 Dodge Durango without snow plow option.
I did not look for one but I would think they would also have one for the Jeep Wrangler.
Best wishes to all,
I wanted to post my findings to hopefully help someone else fix their dangerous steering.
Several have posted similar symptoms - this is what mine was doing.
Could not drive it straight down the road, it lurched from left to right.
It would pull to the left or right whenever a low area or high area was driven over.
There was about a quarter turn of play in the steering wheel, it was a constant fight to keep it in a lane.
The Jeep was a worn out POS when I got it. I was looking for a project and it has not disappointed in that regard.
The entire stock suspension and steering system was replaced, yes it road better the steering was still terrible.
Steering gearbox, a reman, no real change.
Front trackbar, no change.
Ball joints and hub bearings, slight improvement but not fixed.
Upgraded suspension and steering linkage installed, no improvement.
So cut to the chase, I went with a NEW steering gearbox, a Durango model from Lares Corp, this was the only new one I could find.
It handles like it should now.
There are also several post stating there it is difficult to get a good reman, this is true.
My original gearbox was worn out, it was replaced with a crappy reman that drove just as bad as the original.
Going with a NEW gearbox made all the difference in the world.
I got it from Summit Racing, look for a new gearbox for a 1998 Dodge Durango without snow plow option.
I did not look for one but I would think they would also have one for the Jeep Wrangler.
Best wishes to all,
