MrMitch

I bought a 2000 WJ a few months ago and I just cant seem to get the play completely out. Iv replaced the steering gearbox, tried adjusting and fine tuning it, checked all linkages those are fine, is that just the way theyre made or am I maybe overlooking something? It turns fine its just the play before it engages left and right so it can be irritating on the highway when youre just trying to stay straight.

dave1123

Have you inspected the links in the steering column shaft?

MrMitch

I have, those are tight. I started there then checked down below, tie rods ect. are good. It leads me to believe its the gearbox, I replaced that with a reman unit due to a bad leak which I thought would fix the problem. Iv tried adjusting it too and I can feel it get tighter from right to left but the play remains pretty much the same. Do you think its a faulty unit? I cant imagine thats the way they're supposed to feel. This is the only thing I hate about this Jeep so far because I drive a lot of miles and when from an 04 Liberty that had super tight responsive steering to this.

dave1123

You should check the pitman arm to make sure it's tight on the splines, but reman boxes are all you get lately. You can try a Dodge Durango box from the junkyard. They are beefier and just a hair larger, but seem to last much longer from what I've been told. Remans use the same worm and sector they had in them before they rebuilt it and aren't always any good. New boxes aren't available anymore unless they are old warehouse stock and you luck out finding one. The Durango box mounts on the same bolts as yours does, but you may have to reposition the pitman arm.

Funny thing is I just replaced mine with a reman and have the same problem. Everything up front is new, even the track bar, but it pulls to the right slightly and to the left if you cross over and drive British style! I'm going to try the Durango box when I get to it. Got to find one first.

MrMitch

Yeah iv heard of people swapping for Durango boxes, I think im about at that point. What year Durangos are compatible with Jeeps?

dave1123

Okay here's the skinny! Cherokee forum /technical section /technical write-ups /how to section /xj cherokee write-ups /durango steering box upgrade /09/03/2008 by 99xjlove. He used a 99 Durango V8 w/o snow plow package box and gives step by step instructions with pictures. Looks like an easy swap with many benefits. He ordered it new.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/du...upgrade-3805/

MrMitch

Sweet! Thanks for the info thats definitely my next project before I do anything else with it.

dave1123

Let us know how it works out. A lot of guys will get up the nerve to try this if they know it works out for other people.