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How important is steering box bracing and is this one worth the money?
I've been researching xj's and see that steering box issues are very common.
I would like to upgrade & prevent as much as possible before I experience any terrible damage....
http://http://www.boostwerksengineer...Brace_p_8.html
This looks super sturdy, well engineered and is the best looking product I see on the market to fix the issue but I'm reading that too sturdy can cause more cracking in several threads.
Although those threads weren't referring to this type of brace.
For those who have or have had one, Does this one damage more than it prevents or is it truly the ultimate steering box brace?
Last edited by Constantine; 11-26-2015 at 10:34 PM.
The only problem I have ever heard of is breaking the spacer. Which is easily replaced will a steel option.
I've read through thread after thread about the frame part cracking and splitting where the gear box bolts onto it,
No first hand experience with this though.
I think most of them were on naxja forums.
I've read through thread after thread about the frame part cracking and splitting where the gear box bolts onto it,
No first hand experience with this though.
I think most of them were on naxja forums.
They would have to pushing the factory steering pretty hard even harder if you have a steel pumper as it reinforces that area. It's bolted all the way through the frame rail and thought aftermarket bumper tie ins if you have them. I am not going to worry about mine as I'm only going to 35s.
Everything I've replaced the gear box on has had sleeves around the bolts that ran through the frame from side to side, inside the frame, not actually visible unless you look in the frame.
Never installed a box onto a cherokee but I would asume they do to?
Even though they are a uni body vehicle I don't see why they wouldn't.
If the bolts are sleeved inside the frame, I can see how the bumper mount would add lots of rigidity to the mounting area.
I'm only going up to 32's or 33's myself on 4.5" of lift.
Maybe a bumper and steel spacer would be adequate.
I just don't want to install a lift and larger tires onto one and be sorry that I did it.
Last edited by Constantine; 11-27-2015 at 12:45 AM.
A friend that I off road with had his uni-frame crack. The crack develops between the steering gear and the track bar frame brace. He had one of the after market single point steering gear braces installed too. The constant back and forth torque between those two points is just too much when you have big and heavy tires. Probably the best insurance against this issue would be the track bar brace which distributes the forces between both frames in conjunction with the Boostwerks steering gear brace which does the same. I'm holding out for the BWE Comp Mount; also adding one of these http://www.rubiconexpress.com/Track-...pn=R%2FERE1670
but haven't decided which name brand on that yet. I have 35 x 12.5 x 15s, a lot of stress on the frame.
That really helped me understand the problem with the cracking Rockhead.
I have a RCX lift system, I'm sure none of that stuff will probably work together.
I'd hate to order it all one piece at a time just to see but I may do that.
I suppose I will buy the R E track bar, bracket and brace.
Part #'s for those interested:
Re1660
Re1665
Re1670.
That's about $335 through quadratech.
Synergy also makes the same parts but is more $$$$
Then, according to my research I'll have to extend my bumpstops.
I'll probably order the gear box spacer and the outer plate since I don't have a steel bumper yet.
And later buy the part I linked in my original post.
Actually don't have a jeep yet...
Btw, what's the BWE comp mount?
Last edited by Constantine; 11-28-2015 at 03:06 PM.
It's the boostwerks brace with an integrated winch mount; coming soon they say.
Take your time when you decide to buy that dream Cherokee. Hold out for one in perfect shape and NO rust. The NO rust part of that helps tremendously with future projects going smoothly.
Good luck with your project.
Oh! And might I recommend a two door, they rock.
I've read through thread after thread about the frame part cracking and splitting where the gear box bolts onto it,
No first hand experience with this though.
I think most of them were on naxja forums.
mine cracked around the bolt heads for the steering box.
that was contributed to running 36 inch bias plys on beadlocks running 0-3psi on the trails. just too much for our uni-frames.
i had eric at staangs fab install his frame reinforcement piece on my xj. i wouldn't use any other brand now that i have his on my big xj. if i ever need another in any of my other xj's, i will make the trip to his shop for another.
he ships anywhere and they're not the easiest to install, but worth the time and effort.
11-26-2015, 10:31 PM
How important is steering box bracing and is this one worth the money?
