Steering problems on RamJet

[RamJetFSJ]

A question to all you steering pros, can a bad steering box cause the steering not to center?

I have a Rustys 4" lift, and the pinion is not pointing straight at the TC, needs to go up more. I replaced all the tire rods etc, and did a careful driveway toe-in job. I replaced the lower steering column bushing and bearing, and checked the column and shaft for excesive play, finding minimal.

But Im still getting sever wandering and not returning to center, even at 25 mph. Steering box? Thats all thats left to replace besides the ball joints, which look good.

With the engine not running I can turn the wheel aprox 1.5" in either direction before it trys to turn the pitman (3" total play), so the box is obviously worn and out of adjustment. So the wandering is not suprising. But the not returning to center is!

I dont have a way to check caster/camber, but its not like the dif is pointing way up...

Should I just replace the box and hope that fixes my problems?? I would replace it just to fix the wandering, but Im hoping it will fix the centering problem too....

Thanks!

[River Beast]

Try adjusting the box first.... if there is that much play in the box... the 'delay' will cause the wandering affect for sure....

Centering can be the caster and/or the box... do the above first and see what happens from there..adjust it til the center allen bolt starts to gt tight and back it off 1/8 of a turn and lock it down.... if you have it too tight it will not center at all.

I have rebuilt steering boxes before witha $20 rebuild kit from A-Zone... but not recomended for the 'first time' rebuilder... there are preload specs that MUST be maintained... how do I know....notice I said 'BOXES' the first one a screwed up ROYAL!!!!! hehe I learned the second time...

[RamJetFSJ]

Thanks Todd, will do.. I just need to get it safe so I can do the test drive on the tranny to make sure everythings kosher, and then ill take it to a alignment shop to find out what my caster is.

Thanks
Ben

[FSJeeper]

That is a lot of play in your steering box. With the investment and quality you have put into your FSJ, I would swap it out for a new one even if it turns out not to be the not returning to center problem.

You can adjust some play out of a box, but you are compensating for worn parts. Not fixing anything permanently. I read somewhere a while back that anymore than 1 inch play either way in the wheel that the box is unserviceable. A lot of guys would disagree with me, but I will look for the source.

[RamJetFSJ]

FSJeeper,
I definetly agree! I am planning on a AGR Super Box 2, was actually just looking at them right now. I just need to get this thing safe enough to drive 5 to 10 miles at varying speeds to do my tranny test drive. I might just order the box now, since I cant really get to my adjusting screw on the box without pulling the radiator, and save me the hassel, since Ill be puting a new box in it anyway.

Thanks for the input!
Ben