K45389

List, A few days ago the bottom seal blew out on the power steering box on my 2004 grand cherokee. It's so bad a full resivour of fluid gushes out in just a few minutes of driving. I'm considering several options. Try and remove the Pittman arm, remove the bolts from the top cap and push up the shaft far enough to access those seals and try to insert replacements. The other option, which may be easier, is to just replace the whole steering box with a reconditioned one. If I go that route, I'm guessing there are 3 bolts that hold the box to the frame. My question here is since the heads of the bolts are pretty rusty themselves and may not allow socket or wrench to grip very well, can removing them by grinding the hex heads off allow the steering box to be pulled off by pulling the bolt shafts inward through the frame? Are there any threads in the frame or are the threads only in the steering box itself? Thanks

dave1123

I don't think there's enough clearance to pull the bolts thru the frame to remove the box. Try welding nuts to the heads of the bolts using larger nuts and welding thru the holes. Go to the junkyard a grab a Dodge Durango box. Much heavier and just a smiggin larger. You may have to reposition the pitman arm though. When you install the box, turn the shaft full right, then full left while counting the turns. return it back 1/2 way. mount the pitman arm so it aligns with your tie rod and adjust the tierod so it points the tires straight with the steering wheel straight. OH, I forgot to mention, after centering the box by turning it, connect the steering shaft to the box so that it's centered straight ahead, or as close as possible. You can fine tune it after it's together.

Threads in the box only. Make sure the steering wheel is centered straight before you take the box out so the clockspring will be centered as well.