Question about a steering box.
 

Are the left hand drive and right hand drive steering boxes for Cherokee the same? I have a right hand drive Jeep Cherokee that needs a new steering box and wanted to know if I needed to look for a specific one for it.

Hey Bardo, I'm 99% sure the right & left drive steering boxes are mirror images. They mount to the unibody rail, against the fender, so moving the left hand box to the right side would cause the output shaft to be pointing up...no buenos. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

I want to agree. Looked one up at Napa for my '00 4.0 XJ. They did not ask about LHD or RHD. Or list one specifying LHD or RHD.
And they do sell parts for RHD cause I remember buying a belt and a RHD one is a different part that was listed.

I had to replace the steering gear on my RHD TJ not long ago. They are different. Event the adjustment screw on top is left hand threaded. The worst part is the RHD cost is twice the price of the LHD.

Ok thanks for the info everyone. Do you think this is something I can pick up at my local napa?

Probably. Of course you would need to ask them. Unlikely in stock, but if it's longer than overnight shipping they can tell you.

I just replaced the one on my RHD not long ago Ibought it from Rock Auto dont remember the price off hand but seemed reasonable at the time

Is there a core charge on steering boxes? I have a ZJ box in my XJ but can't remember if I returned a core. Its a cost to consider if so...thats why I mention.

Yeah there's a core charge! It's about half the price of the part. I just sent rockauto an e-mail to see if they carry it.

Funny story: I ordered a steering box a few years ago on the internet. By the time it arrived, the box had been beat up and torn away SO bad, parts of the steering box were sticking out on all sides it seems. Fortunately someone along the way wrapped tape tight around the address portion and it made it to me. That was some crappy packing. They're pretty tough, so there was no damage. I bet it screwed up some other people's packages when it went "THUNK!" off the end of the conveyer onto other delicate packages! I wish I had taken a picture.

That's nothing. I have seen core charges that have cost more then the part itself at the auto parts store I work at.
You know they really want that core back. LOL.

At Buy Auto Parts on Amazon, the price for a reman RHD steering box is $434.13, no core charge.

Some nice dummy sent me an electric outboard with the prop in Pieces! After seeing the photos he didn't even want it back.

Really rude for starters and alternators when you are in a jamb, gotta pay BIG, them give them your unit that needs a $4 part.