It started out with all my concurrent suspension and tire upgrades. I went from a stock ’05 TJ to a 3” Curry/Savvy lift, all new steering (save steering stabilizer and steering box), & new 33” tires. Its developed a shake and death wobble since then. Its mostly a shake, but has developed into a full DW a couple of times. I’ve had the tires balanced and rotated 3 times in 500 miles. I checked and moved around my caster a few times. Plenty of dry steer tests. The track bar (new Savvy) is tight on both sides (only small compression of rubber bushing). I’ve adjusted my steering box to what I thought was near perfect. I was afraid of moving the adjustment too much, so I only gave it about ¼ turn tighter. I’ve done exhaustive reading on this forum about DW, shake, and steering boxes.
I don’t drive the jeep very much on the street partly because of this problem. {side note question: Can you have DW while flat towing? This would surely destroy your front end in a hurry!}
I like to think that I can figure everything out and fix most things by myself. I knew I needed to take it to an alignment shop to at least get the base line numbers on camber/caster/toe etc.
So I took it into a local shop and asked them to fix my jeep. The mechanic knew was DW was and was sure he could find and fix my problem. They keep my jeep for 2 days and the verdict was… The steering box. The shop said that my box had play in it and that they tightened it… a lot. But that I could expect that it would wander around a lot because the box is worn out and needs to be replaced. They said I should drive it around and evaluate it. Looking at the adjustment screw; which is normally two threads above the lock nut, is now 2-3 threads BELOW the lock nut. The shaft that the pitman arm attaches to is now really low and showing a shiny metal ring that use to be up in the box. Drove it home(6 miles), it did wander around, but very little shake/wobble. The steering wheel can now be turned an inch or two before the tires start to move. I get home and the box is covered in oil.
I’ve always suspected I might need a new steering box, but NOW I for sure need a steering box. (Let the reading and searching JF begin)
This is what I’ve found; since I have a 2005, I need a unique to 2003 thru 2006 box.
Choices are:
PSC at $690 plus hoses $30: Highly regarded on JF but spendy
Remanufactured from autoparts store for ~$200-300? But everyone says they are junk & hit and miss
From dealer: $905 part number: RL088993AD No Way!
Borgenson does not make anything for 03-06
ARG Superbox 2(or 1) at $389 from Quadratec. Mixed and poor reviews
Rebuild myself, but what do I need and where to get all the internal parts?
Ouch. I guess the tummy tuck will have to wait awhile.
Any suggestions on the right box would be helpful. Many of the threads are about jeeps that are not 03-06 and they have options that I don’t.
I don’t drive the jeep very much on the street partly because of this problem. {side note question: Can you have DW while flat towing? This would surely destroy your front end in a hurry!}
I like to think that I can figure everything out and fix most things by myself. I knew I needed to take it to an alignment shop to at least get the base line numbers on camber/caster/toe etc.
So I took it into a local shop and asked them to fix my jeep. The mechanic knew was DW was and was sure he could find and fix my problem. They keep my jeep for 2 days and the verdict was… The steering box. The shop said that my box had play in it and that they tightened it… a lot. But that I could expect that it would wander around a lot because the box is worn out and needs to be replaced. They said I should drive it around and evaluate it. Looking at the adjustment screw; which is normally two threads above the lock nut, is now 2-3 threads BELOW the lock nut. The shaft that the pitman arm attaches to is now really low and showing a shiny metal ring that use to be up in the box. Drove it home(6 miles), it did wander around, but very little shake/wobble. The steering wheel can now be turned an inch or two before the tires start to move. I get home and the box is covered in oil.
I’ve always suspected I might need a new steering box, but NOW I for sure need a steering box. (Let the reading and searching JF begin)
This is what I’ve found; since I have a 2005, I need a unique to 2003 thru 2006 box.
Choices are:
PSC at $690 plus hoses $30: Highly regarded on JF but spendy
Remanufactured from autoparts store for ~$200-300? But everyone says they are junk & hit and miss
From dealer: $905 part number: RL088993AD No Way!
Borgenson does not make anything for 03-06
ARG Superbox 2(or 1) at $389 from Quadratec. Mixed and poor reviews
Rebuild myself, but what do I need and where to get all the internal parts?
Ouch. I guess the tummy tuck will have to wait awhile.
Any suggestions on the right box would be helpful. Many of the threads are about jeeps that are not 03-06 and they have options that I don’t.