Steering gear box - three or four holes?

[Chero77]

Ok, I ordered a rebuilt steering gear box from Kragen. The gear box they sent looks just like mine except it has only three mounting pads/holes instead of the four that are on my box. The '77 TSM shows a box with four holes, so I think mine is original. Had Kragen send thier box back. Went to NAPA to order a box and they list same part number from the same vendor as Kragen (Cardone 27-6507). So I have NAPA call the vendor and sure enough, the box has three mounting pads, not four like mine. Tried Pepboys, different vendor, but still only three holes.

So what gives? Do these guys have the right part number? Is it safe to bolt on a box with only three mounting holes? Does anyone know where to get the right gear box? The '77 TSM says the gear box is a 17:13:1 variable ratio box. Could this be a one year only item.

Anyway, my gear box has a lot of slop, that can't be adjusted out and makes a clicking noise at extreme rotation. I need to replace it with something. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

[ August 17, 2001: Message edited by: Dave _S ]

[ibnfe]

Did you try a different year model? My '85 has the 4 hole setup. As far as I know, all our rigs since the early 70's use the same setup. What about getting new rack and pinion for your gearbox and rebuilding it yourself?

[Chero77]

NAPA lists part no. 27-6507 as being correct for 76-79. Somethings screwed up here. Its odd that three different chains (kragen, napa, and pepboys) and two vendors and would have the wrong part number.

[78WagLimited]

I also have the same problem.. :eek: the previous owner replaced the gear box right before I bought it.. He purchased it from Car Quest... it only had 3 bolt holes.. it's been fine.. I have done some mild off-roadin w/ it.. but I am also very leary about only 3 bolts.. any info someone has would be great. BTW my Wag is a '78

[ August 17, 2001: Message edited by: 78WagLimited ]

[JINGA]

What does a rebuilt box cost? Has anyone tried an AGR (http://www.agrsteering.com/OFF/offroad.htm) box? They're something like $350 from Jim's (http://www.jimsoffroadwarehouse.com/part_finder.asp?Vendor=9).

Since my steering sucks, I was thinking of just biting the bullet and coughing up the big money for the AGR super box.

[<Dave _S>]

Ok, this morning I called A1 Cardone, the vendor that supplies, NAPA, Kragen, and Pepboys with remanufactured steering gear boxes. Cardone says that the correct part number for a '77 Cherokee with V8 is 27-6537. I asked the guy if this has four mounting holes. He says it does. So I called Pepboys and told them to order that number.

Just in case anyone else is looking for '77 gearbox, the Kragen, Pepboys, and NAPA computers say the part number is 27-6501. This is the WRONG number. You will recieve a three mounting hole box. Cardone, the supplier, says the RIGHT number is 27-6537, which supposedly has the correct four hole pattern. I guess after work I will find out for sure when the new box arrives.

[jeepguzzi]

Well done, Dave!! Now you know what it means to have one of these FSJ'S :rolleyes:
Thanks for the info, I am sure myself and many others will make use of it. smile.gif

[78WagLimited]

Thanks Dave :D I will have to look at my receipt this evening to see what part Car Quest gave the previous owner.. :eek: Hopefully I can find a Car Quest here in the middle of nowhere..I didn't think that 3 bolts was right..

[<Dave _S>]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by &lt;Dave _S&gt;:
Ok, this morning I called A1 Cardone, the vendor that supplies, NAPA, Kragen, and Pepboys with remanufactured steering gear boxes. Cardone says that the correct part number for a '77 Cherokee with V8 is 27-6537. I asked the guy if this has four mounting holes. He says it does. So I called Pepboys and told them to order that number.

Just in case anyone else is looking for '77 gearbox, the Kragen, Pepboys, and NAPA computers say the part number is 27-6507. This is the WRONG number. You will recieve a three mounting hole box. Cardone, the supplier, says the RIGHT number is 27-6537, which supposedly has the correct four hole pattern. I guess after work I will find out for sure when the new box arrives.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[78WagLimited]

Dave.. and other FSJ'rs I called my supplier (CarQuest) and they gave me a part# 27-6507.. I then called A1 Cardon tech line also..this time the tech rep stated that the 27-6507 was a correct application for the 77/78 wags..the 27-6537 has a different input shaft size :eek: .. they could not answer why the bolt holes where reduced to 3.. however he said if I could get the casting numbers off a 4 bolt gear box then we could research it more.. so if any one still has a 4 bolt setup please post the casting number or e-mail me so we can get this straightned out :D ..

[78WagLimited]

Okay.. round 2 :eek: Talked with the folks at Jims off-Road in TN. They stated that the original steering bow was a saginaw 76..basically a heavy duty box, the newer Wags and replacement boxes for the older ones uses the GM 3/4 ton box.. he stated that the 3 bolt versus 4 won't make a difference.. :rolleyes: so... only time will tell

[jeepbob]

The big reason you get a 3 hole box rather than a 4 holer is that the 4 holers are scarce. The boxes interchange without a problem.
BTW the early FSJ's used a 3 hole box and I actually have a 4 holer on my 3 hole mount and wheel the wee out of it running 33's and have not had any problems with the box or mount. I, however, do not climb rocks and might have a problem if I did.

[Chero77]

Well, I got part no. 27-6537 and evreything is the same except for the stub shaft to the flex coupler on the steering column which is to large. So, I sent that box back.

The casting number on my original box is #5691676 with an 062 just below the first number. According to the local Kragen, that casting no. corresponds to A1 Cardone part no. 27-6528. I am going to wait until Monday so I can call Cardone to get confirmation before special ordering a third gear box.

For anyone who read my earlier post, part no. 27-6537 is not correct. I will post the correct number after I get confirmation from Cardone on Monday.

[Chero77]

'77 Steering Gear Box: The Final Story

In the end Cardone, did not have a part no. that matched the specs of my gear box. So I turned to Autozone who uses a different supplier ATSCO. ATSCO recommends their part no. 7520 as a replacement. This turned out to be an exact match for my original box.

The specs on my original box were casting number #5691676, four hole mounting, .750 nominal (.720 actual) input shaft, flare ports, and a 16:13:1 ratio (about 3.2 turns lock to lock).

The ATSCO-7520 box that I recieved from Autozone had the identical casting number, and otherwise matched the original in all respects. I have installed this box and it works fine.

So I guess the moral of the story is that you cannot get an exact replacement gearbox from Pepboys, Kragen, and NAPA, as their supplier Cardone doesn't seem to make one. If you want an exact replacement, the Zone is the place. The manufacturer is ATSCO and the part no. is ATSCO-7520.

[Super Chief]

Dave-
What was the price of the one from autozone?

[<Dave_S>]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Super Chief:
Dave-
What was the price of the one from autozone?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Zone charged $180 + core.