Ok, Steering gear box is leaking pretty bad. Steering is wandering (what I consider) a descent amount on the highway, before it's responsive. I'm wanting to do some upgrades and have a logical path forward, at this point.

• Steering Gearbox Brace
• Steering Gearbox
• ZJ Steering Upgrade

Anything else, within reason, I can do while I'm in there (always better to do things while the major components are off)?
Any particular brands of the gearbox brace?

Another slightly on topic question: I had someone build me a very nice bumper (non winch, pre-running type stinger. light tabs) on the cheap, but he didn't do anything major with bracing where the bumper would mount to the normally. Is there a universal bumper mount brace that I can get (I know that these braces also play a key with bracing the gearbox), or will the gearbox brace suffice?

 

I would say a steering stabilizer would be a good idea.

And JCR offroad makes some brackets that would work well

 

Track bar is brand new. Don't remember if I replaced steering stabilizer when I threw it out, but will look into that, however the steering stabilizer is really just a crutch to mask/help with bad steering/alignment geometry.

 

Way to ask for guidence then be a dick about it lol

The steering stabilizer doesnt do anything to change the steering geometry haha
It just helps reduce bump steer, which would be useful if you have larger than stock tires.

Not sure why youre mentioning a track bar?

 

Also, if your car seems like its wandering-
That could be more of a swaybar issue. Check your endlink bushings

 

Wasn't being a dick, so sorry if you took it that way.

While the steering stabilizer does dampen some of the unwanted shake, it's really just a crutch that masks problems in the geometry (I never said it changed the geometry). Basically what I am saying is that if the geometry is so bad that I HAVE to use the steering stabilizer because without it, things would be crazy, it would be better for me to fix the geometry (which is what I would do).

Also, the reason I mentioned the trackbar is because the steering stabilizer attaches to it. When I changed it out, I wasn't sure if I put a new one on or not, is what I stated.

 

The design of a swaybar has nothing to do with wandering, however maybe you're taking my definition of wandering slightly different that what I am. The function of a swapbar is the transfer load to the other side of the suspension (left to right and vise versa) when one side is pre-loaded more than the other.

 

Anyone else have any useful info?

 

Get some bumper brackets that tie into the frame
Like these
http://www.dirtboundoffroad.com/buil...mper-brackets/

Jcr and ajs off road sell them as well

Edit

looks like Nates sells them for 50 bucks and free shipping probably the best deal

http://www.nates4x4.com/ProductDetai...ctCode=XJF_BRK

 

Will I need the Steering Box Brace if I run these bumper braces (I thought some worked, some didn't, and some just made the other useless)?

 

What's everyone think of running these:
Jeep Cherokee XJ Crusader Uniframe Reinforcement Kit

And this:
XJ Cherokee Steering Box Spacer

 

Sway bar transfers load from one side to another... exactly.
One side could be under load while the other side does what it wants.
(i.e driving on a slanted road without a sway bar attached would pull one way)
How do I know this? I drive without a front sway bar and it wanders everywhere.

I see youre on 31s. I bet you get alot of bump steer without a stabilizer. I drove around for 2 months on 31s without one also. Over large bumps my steering wheel would do what it wanted to. They actually help. Its not a bandaid, its there to reduce bump steer

 

Understand how you could have assumed sway bar mechanics. I'm referring to wandering going down straight/flat/smooth highway. I do have a steering stabilizer currently, and (after this morning) am confident that it's in good working condition. I do however know that the wandering is "mostly" from my steering box being in such bad condition, so this is why I'm opening up the whole area to scrutiny. Think the unibody braces, and steering spacer/brace, should sure up that area.

Wonder if it would be overkill to also run the steering box "snout" brace that attaches to both frame rails kinda like a panhard bar?

 

Just an idea! I keep thinking my alignment is out, but then have to remember my sway bar isnt there ha

I think rustys and a few other companies make a brace already like this

 

few options:

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-st...ng-box-braces/