Are all old Chryslers/Dodges/Jeeps like this?

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin
The steering boxes in the Jeeps definitely can wear out. Even with new TREs, etc. I have about a 1/2" of slop in mine (it tracks perfectly, however). A full steering box adjustment or rebuild will tighten it up a good bit.


Are the plowing package Durango boxes bolt in for ZJ?

 

[Jarlaxle]

I don't think so...the Jeeps are on their own platform, and IU think they actually use Saginaw steering boxes.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

The Durango plow package steering box is a bolt in upgrade for the XJs. But none of the other dodge products are plug and play - not even the not plow package Durango.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: renegade_987
Hey all, forgot to mention this before but recently I test drove 2 older Grand Cherokee's, a 1994 and a 1997. Both had very very sloppy steering, and I had to hold the steering wheel sideways slightly to keep it straight. Are all old Jeep/Dodge vehicles like this?


You shouldn't have to hold the wheel crooked, but a sloppy steering is generally par for the course with a solid front axle like that. My folks' relatively new 2012 Wrangler has similarly vague steering. It's a truck, and it drives like one.

The Dakota I had was much better in that department, but then again, it should be. It had an IFS with a rack-and-pinion steering system. Much better quality steering feel than one with an older type recirculating ball steering box.

 

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Originally Posted By: rslifkin
The steering boxes in the Jeeps definitely can wear out. Even with new TREs, etc. I have about a 1/2" of slop in mine (it tracks perfectly, however). A full steering box adjustment or rebuild will tighten it up a good bit.


Are the plowing package Durango boxes bolt in for ZJ?


Yeah, those bolt in. However, they're slower ratio than a ZJ box. At 12.7:1, the ZJ box is the fastest ratio stock box of that type (a lot of old muscle car guys use them as a cheap upgrade for faster steering).

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Nice!

I thought my steering box was on its way out. Apparently the bad ball joints were causing the weirdness.

 

[jeepman3071]

Contrary to popular belief, the steering boxes in XJs and ZJs aren't really known to wear out UNLESS you plow or have heavy over sized mud terrain tires (32"+) without sufficient steering upgrades.

The tie rod ends, ball joints, sway bar bushings, and track bar bushings can wear out and make them handle and steer like garbage. I replaced all these on mine since they were badly worn, and got an alignment. My Jeep steers and handles awesome even with a 2" lift and larger tires.

 

[crazyoildude]

there is an adjustment on those boxes

 

[Spazdog]

How old is old?

My PT Cruiser steers and handles pretty well for a high roof wagon. Tracks straight until you get hit by a sideways wind gust on those slab sides. Not really a fault of the steering, I noticed crossovers have a tendency to be affected by crosswinds in the same way.

Older Jeep steering is kinda' like that. It's a Jeep thing.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
there is an adjustment on those boxes
yes and no. Some people mistake the allen with a locknut on top for an adjustment. You cant adjust that w\o adjusting the other adjustment at the input shaft.

 

[Bob5150]

I have had 3 Ram trucks (1999, 2001 and my current 1996), all 4x4 solid axle 1500's, and they all had sloppy steering.