New Steering Box
 

Recently my steering box has been making a bunch of popping noises. I know that the seal is leaking or was leaking at one point. I've got a front locker and 33's.. Probably contributed to the wearing out of the steering box? I just bought a MORE steering box brace. but I know I need to upgrade boxes. Should I go for the Durango steering box upgrade or just put another stock one in? I read that the Durango should bolt right up. Any advice will help. Thanks

Yes a steering box from 98-99 non plow models will drop right In

So I just picked up a Durango steering box from the local junkyard. I just realized it has the slightest amount of play in the splined shaft where the pitman arm slides onto. Does this matter? Also i know I have the stock steering box spacer (aluminum one). Worth ordering the JCR brace? and waiting to put in the durango box?

The jcr spacer definitely is worth it. Anything beefier than the oem aluminum spacer is worth it lol.

I didn't do the Durango swap yet and I'm not sure about the "play". I never bothered around with steering pumps before. Hopefully someone will come along soon and answer that question.

I just actually picked up a JCR spacer the other day for the same reason, so I might be a little bias, but I think its cheap insurance. Will you notice any performance gain? Na; it's a preventative measure to protect your frame. In the most simple terms, it simply spreads the load across a much broader footprint, when compared to the aluminum spacer, and obviously less prone to break; which could leave you in a mess on the trail.

If you wheel your truck regularly and you're taking that box off for any reason, I suggest you stretch for the $35 bucks and get one. It couldn't hurt.

As for the Durango box, what dude-buddy above said is correct. They are the same across all engine models (from my research) within those years. Do you need it? Probably not, but if you compare it to the price of the XJ box, it's not THAT much more. I really think the stock box is probably stronger than a lot of people give them credit. Most of the people who have damage their stock box has probably never changed it. So you have to think of how many cycles that thing has already gone through. Not to mention, it feels EVERY hit to the steering.

Hope this was helpful.

So my steering box is getting a lot worse. Making more and more popping noises everyday. The jcr spacers should be in tomorrow. The only thing I'm worried about is the Durango box I got from the pick and pull. Has the slightest amount of play in the shaft. Only payed 75 bucks for it. But my stock box has play in the shaft now, and leaking.

I'd swap it ya. What kind of noises does it make and when does it occur? Not to thread jack just wondering

When I turn the steering wheel either way it'll make a quick creak and pop noise

As soon as you touch the wheel or during the turn

My XJ does/did it too. That noise may be from your track bar (?) make sure everything is tight.

I'm also planning on doing the Durango swap this summer. I priced them up at Napa.... something like $130 +/- once you bring yours back for the core charge. Let us know how it goes, I've never screwed with steering boxes..

Good luck

Thanks, yeah I just bought a iron rock off road track bar a couple weeks ago. I'm positive the popping noises are coming from the old steering box. It used to do it when I was not moving and turning the wheel the slightest bit to the right or left, not hard turns. Now it'll do it on the road with the same noises.

I got the old stock box out. I've decided to just buy a new Durango box from auto zone and be done with it. I won't have to worry about a junkyard box breaking on me.

I got the new Durango box, But the high pressure lines do not match up.. the box bolted right up the the frame rail just fine. I need to know if I need to get new lines with different size threads..