Steering slop fix

Ryjedavis said:
Let’s make sure we are all talking about the same thing. I think you are thinking of tightening the pitman arm adjustment nut. Thats the one most people tighten. The best analogy is that it’s like changing pinion depth in a differential - it can help with steering slop by decreasing space between the pitman shaft and worm gear, but can cause binding in turns when the pitman teeth engage the rack teeth on the side where there is less wearing.

I’m talking about adjusting the spool valve preload adjustor nut. It’s the large adjustor nut on the end with the spanner wrench holes that attaches to the steering shaft. Not tightening it completely in error caused a ton of slop, which made me adjust it per the manual, which made my steering incredible. It shouldn’t cause binding because it’s only tightening the spool valve preload - my guess is over time the needle bearings and flat bearings get worn.

I have zero slop, fantastic response, and no binding. Only bummer is you have to pull the box to adjust.

View attachment 463466
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How hard was this to do?
 
machoheadgames said:
I can't speak to the 03-06 Mercedes gear specifically, but Lares has good reviews overall. I have seen maybe 2-3 people here post up issues after they had their Lares installed, but the issues were extraneous, like one of them had the steering shaft interfering with something else, etc. No issues noted with the actual box that I can find.

I bought a BBB for mine (earlier model) because the Lares 11353 was unavailable for a while, however I got a notification that the 11353 was back in stock, so I ordered it and will be sending the BBB back. Nothing wrong with it, but would rather have the Lares based on a reputation of a friend of mine who has installed a mix of the two brands of their pumps and gear boxes on 10 or so different vehicles (most, but not all Jeeps). I would imagine if they can do a good job on the early box, they can do the same on the later box. I sure hope so, my OEM box is shot and needs fixing bad.

I considered PSC because I know their stuff is great, however that is a tough pill to swallow buying a pump and a gear box and potentially supplying enough fluid to the HV pump for an otherwise stock application, all because the OEM gear went bad. I'd much rather find a good stock level gear if possible.
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Curious if you got the new Lares yet and your thought on it.

Also, it look like the Lares 11356 is for TJ 03-06 and the 11353 is for different motors all together. Am I wrong?
 
LittleGiant said:
Curious if you got the new Lares yet and your thought on it.

Also, it look like the Lares 11356 is for TJ 03-06 and the 11353 is for different motors all together. Am I wrong?
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I got it and it’s hooked up but haven’t driven yet. My jeep is undergoing some engine removal and reinstall I’ll report back once that’s done hopefully in a week or so.

I will say just running it dry and turning the wheel, it seems a lot more responsive than the old gear.

11353 is meant to replace the 97-02 Saginaw style box. 03-06 used a different Mercedes box. I will say, the 11353 looks much different than the Saginaw style box it replaced. It is clearly either something Lares came up with themselves, or it is from some other model. It “fits” like 30 different cars when looking at Rockauto.

Original, BBB, Lares

IMG_5446.jpeg

BBB looks just like the original. Not sure how it is new, but it looks exactly like a brand new Saginaw stock box. Maybe BBB gets them from somewhere similar to the original. Lares is nothing like the original, but it has the right specs so it should be good.
 
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I had massive slop on my 97, I replaced the box with a redhead. I don't haven enough miles on it to give a solid review, but it immediately improved things dramatically. But then I could also now feel the slopiness elsewhere in the system. So just be ready for that regardless of that brand box you go with.
 
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