It's number 30 on this chart. I just replaced the steering gear and it wouldn't fit with this block in place so I removed it. What is the purpose of it?

 

Any Ideas?

 

...

 

I believe that goes between the body and the steering box like a spacer or maybe something to hold it in position a little better.

 

I've replaced the steering box, pump and lines in my 90. I braced the frame in the area of the steering box. Been in that area a little bit to say the least. Didn't see anything that looks like piece 30. Do you have a picture of the piece in place on your Jeep?

 

Same.
I've replaced my box 3 times since last October ( bad rebuilt boxes) and haven't seen anything like #30 on My '96 XJ.

 

Totally, and I have seen a bunch of youtube Steering Box Brace install videos, and I have not seen piece like that on anybody's steering box.

 

Thanks for responding everyone. Here are some pictures. The box I'm installing is a fraction of an inch longer than stock so the piece no longer fits where its supposed to be....so I placed it right next to where it should go so you could see it. In the top picture, you can see the end of the steering gear box on the left and the "block" fits between the body and the steering box. the first picture is taken from the side of the gearbox, the second picture is taken from right below. The other two pictures are obviously out of the vehicle, just so you could see the shape of it. It seems to be made out of aluminum or some kind of alloy. It looks like it had some purpose, but it ain't going back in there. I was just wondering if anyone knew its purpose and can I get by without it? By the way my Cherokee is an '88 Laredo with the 4.0 motor.

 

What is your location? Is that a export version? I've been under a few XJs (20 or so) and have never seen that.

 

I live in North Carolina - this car was purchased new in 1988 in Arlington, Virginia by my brother-in-law. I'm the second owner. The parts diagram I showed here is a standard parts diagram for 1988 Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0 motor. 1988 was one of the American Motors years for Jeep - I don't know if that makes a difference or not...

 

Yeah that's exactly the piece I was talking about.

 

I see no point in that even being there other than kicking the steering box out of the way during a collision somehow, but found to be ineffective and never used again. ???

 

Good point - I was thinking it might be something like that, too...

 

Its more like some designers big idea to save the day or something,,lol. Then Someone on the corporate ladder realized it was a waste of money,,since it really has no real purpose.
My 95 and 2000 don't have anything there. Both vehicles I drove off the lot new.


I would just roll with it or without..But what you did looks fine.
Plus the designer will thankyou for keeping his life saving idea..lol

 

I know nothing, but maybe in crash tests they were figuring how it "crumples", and maybe added that to help you not get speared by the column. Just put a ($40) JY box in one of my 90's and didn't notice anything like that.