A couple Durango box questions
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Year: 1998
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A couple Durango box questions
After doing the swap it seems I definately have more of a turning radius to the left than the right.. Has anyone else had this happen? Is this an allignment issue with my suspension? Is there an adjustment on the box itself? I thought about removing the Pittman arm, trying to even out the box and reinstalling but I'm pretty sure the box "output shaft" has a couple larger splines on it so the Pittman arm can only go in a couple spots so I'm not exactly sure that's the answer either, but what I'm leaning towards for a solution. Any input guys? (or ladies) haha
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possible that while you think you centered your steering wheel, you didnt. The box will only go so many turns lock to lock, so if you are off by a turn, you will have significantly more turning one direction that the other. You would need to disconnect the drag link from the pitman arm, ensure that the box and steering wheel is centered, adjust the drag link length, and reconnect.
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I believe it was FrankZ who made the write up, but use the search function, it's here. That's a hit and miss problem with the durango boxes, some do it, some don't. The fix is to remove one of the spacers inside the box. It really isn't as hard as it sounds. Find the write up and you'll be taken care of.
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Thanks for the quick replys... It's definitely possible the steering wheel is not centered properly(has never been straight since I owned it,hard to judge where "straight" is) I thought i had it pretty good but the wheel itself was crooked and where I thought it should be was not a
Good position of the Pittman arm so I aligned it back to an ideal Pittman arm location.. Easily possible it's a turn off; i just hope the arm lines back on the box like I'm planning it will once I even it up haha. As far as the box itself being the issue.. I REALLY hope that's not the case as it's a brand new box
Not a jy pull and that would def be a kick in the junk (insert appropriate face I don't know about since im using the app version)
Good position of the Pittman arm so I aligned it back to an ideal Pittman arm location.. Easily possible it's a turn off; i just hope the arm lines back on the box like I'm planning it will once I even it up haha. As far as the box itself being the issue.. I REALLY hope that's not the case as it's a brand new box
Not a jy pull and that would def be a kick in the junk (insert appropriate face I don't know about since im using the app version)
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new or used wasn't the issue. It's just the way the box is made, durangos never had the turning radius of an XJ so it wasn't apparent in them.
I SUPPOSE I'll do the google search for you... just this once...
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=915103
I SUPPOSE I'll do the google search for you... just this once...
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=915103
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Mine maxes out stop to stop on the axle before the box stops. Just did the swap last night works great.
Its not the position of the pit-man arm, there are 4 master splines and they are the exact same position as the stock xj box. the input also has a master spline and can only be put on 1 way. Your steering wheel cant limit the turning as it free spins on the column with no restriction to amount of turns. but you can break the clock spring if its off (and you ahve a newer xj with an airbag in the wheel)
fallow that link ^ seen people who have taken out the spacer and shaved off the stubs. both yielded further turning for them.
Its not the position of the pit-man arm, there are 4 master splines and they are the exact same position as the stock xj box. the input also has a master spline and can only be put on 1 way. Your steering wheel cant limit the turning as it free spins on the column with no restriction to amount of turns. but you can break the clock spring if its off (and you ahve a newer xj with an airbag in the wheel)
fallow that link ^ seen people who have taken out the spacer and shaved off the stubs. both yielded further turning for them.
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I believe it was FrankZ who made the write up, but use the search function, it's here. That's a hit and miss problem with the durango boxes, some do it, some don't. The fix is to remove one of the spacers inside the box. It really isn't as hard as it sounds. Find the write up and you'll be taken care of.
Mine maxes out stop to stop on the axle before the box stops. Just did the swap last night works great.
Its not the position of the pit-man arm, there are 4 master splines and they are the exact same position as the stock xj box. the input also has a master spline and can only be put on 1 way. Your steering wheel cant limit the turning as it free spins on the column with no restriction to amount of turns. but you can break the clock spring if its off (and you ahve a newer xj with an airbag in the wheel)
fallow that link ^ seen people who have taken out the spacer and shaved off the stubs. both yielded further turning for them.
Its not the position of the pit-man arm, there are 4 master splines and they are the exact same position as the stock xj box. the input also has a master spline and can only be put on 1 way. Your steering wheel cant limit the turning as it free spins on the column with no restriction to amount of turns. but you can break the clock spring if its off (and you ahve a newer xj with an airbag in the wheel)
fallow that link ^ seen people who have taken out the spacer and shaved off the stubs. both yielded further turning for them.
Last edited by Hoooper; 11-30-2011 at 11:18 AM.
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I know... If you increase tottal throw it will turn farther, which could make the difference not noticeable. It doesn't matter if the box turns further one way then the other if it hits the stops on the axle first....
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Hmm.. Definitely some food for thought. I think tomorrow I'm gonna try to remove and recenter my Pittman arm just to be sure I got it correct. (like I said, I was in a hurry, I think it's def possible. Plus I got my zj tie rod to throw on there so might as well do it all at once) If that doesn't change anything it looks like I know what I need to do: remove, rebuild,reinstall....reminds me of being at work, Yay lol
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Originally Posted by Hoooper
im pretty sure you cant actually put the pitman arm on any but one way. there is only one "keyway" on the pitman arm and box.
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Update: so today after work I pulled the Pittman arm and counted turns.. Definately had an extra turn to the left. Triple checked my counts and reinstalled. I could tell something changed by the way the steering wheel was positioned. Took her for a test spin an it was all fixed!!!! I'm SO happy. Drives tight like it should for all the work I did. (still have yet to put my zj tie rod on but oh well) and the steering wheel is almost straight to boot! Thanks for all the help everyone!!
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possible that while you think you centered your steering wheel, you didnt. The box will only go so many turns lock to lock, so if you are off by a turn, you will have significantly more turning one direction that the other. You would need to disconnect the drag link from the pitman arm, ensure that the box and steering wheel is centered, adjust the drag link length, and reconnect.