[fxrsliberty]

There should not be that much play. I'm betting that reman was mal-adjusted if your steering shaft has that same motion. Yes, the set screw on top is to adjust this. It should be set just tight enough to feel like its touching, any more then that will cause premature wear.

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[mukluk]

Slop in the steering gear like you have is set and adjusted via the worm thrust bearing which cannot be adjusted on the Mercedes type boxes without disassembling them. The adjustment screw found on the top of the box only adjusts the over-center rotating torque and is highly unlikely to fix the issue you have. Steering gearboxes commonly are tightest at the center position, where they should be when the wheels are straight forward, and looser when turned away from this center position. Tightening the over-center adjustment screw to reduce the slop in the non-centered travel will rapidly wear out the box internals as it is turned through the tighter center position. The most common cause of your issue other than a worn or poorly rebuilt box is the steering gear isn't properly turned to center when the wheels are straight ahead -- the drag link and opposite tie rod end are improperly adjusted. To check for the gear's center, turn the steering wheel all the way to one end of travel then count the number of turns to the opposite end of travel, finally turning exactly half that number back to center.

 

[JEK3]

Slop in the steering gear like you have is set and adjusted via the worm thrust bearing which cannot be adjusted on the Mercedes type boxes without disassembling them.

OP said he swapped in a Durango box, which can be adjusted in this way. Googling it should eventually lead you to a set of instructions (basically tightening the ring around the input shaft), but if you don't have any luck I can post some PDFs I have on my home computer later this evening. This adjustment MAY help, as long as your steering box internals aren't overly worn out, and the problem isn't actually external to the box.

 

[mukluk]

@JEK3
Yeah, brain fart on my part. I watched the video and figured it was the OP's Jeep we were looking at; the Durango and even the original box for the OP's 2000 would be a Saginaw unit which can be adjusted like you said.

 

[lioneljeeper]

Maybe I use this as an excuse to go with a PSC or ARG box. >

 

[Shark_13]

As good of an excuse as any
When mine had slop (which was not fixed by messing with the nut adjuster) I decided to go with a redhead gearbox. Been great so far.

 

[lioneljeeper]

As good of an excuse as any
When mine had slop (which was not fixed by messing with the nut adjuster) I decided to go with a redhead gearbox. Been great so far.

Which part number did you go with?

 

[Shark_13]

Which part number did you go with?

I just called them up and said I needed a power steering box for a98 Wrangler and they sent the correct one.
At the time, their website only showed a non power version so don't make the mistake like I did the first time.
They were good about getting me the correct one and refunding the other after I shipped it back.

 

[lioneljeeper]

I actually think I might like going back to the feel of the TJ's steering box.

 

[tworley]

Slop in the steering gear like you have is set and adjusted via the worm thrust bearing which cannot be adjusted on the Mercedes type boxes without disassembling them. The adjustment screw found on the top of the box only adjusts the over-center rotating torque and is highly unlikely to fix the issue you have. Steering gearboxes commonly are tightest at the center position, where they should be when the wheels are straight forward, and looser when turned away from this center position. Tightening the over-center adjustment screw to reduce the slop in the non-centered travel will rapidly wear out the box internals as it is turned through the tighter center position. The most common cause of your issue other than a worn or poorly rebuilt box is the steering gear isn't properly turned to center when the wheels are straight ahead -- the drag link and opposite tie rod end are improperly adjusted. To check for the gear's center, turn the steering wheel all the way to one end of travel then count the number of turns to the opposite end of travel, finally turning exactly half that number back to center.

Can the saginaw worm bearing be rebuilt? I havent been able to find any info on that...

PS--the dump is closed because they're all at Alice's.

 

[mukluk]

Can the saginaw worm bearing be rebuilt? I havent been able to find any info on that...

The worm thrust bearing can be replaced, yes.