Infectious Off-Road.com

Sometime this week a thumping noise has started, only happens when turning the steering wheel right, like just before it starts to turn the tires (with and without engine running).....There is a thump sound and a slight almost shake of the jeep, like I can feel it from the floor boards. I finally had some help today and the noise is coming from the gear box ......The shafts dont have any play and it doesnt look like anything is loose. Still very driveable, but I think there is a little more slop then there used to be.


So does this sound like something a gear box would do before it takes a shit? I really dont want anything to do with steering to break while on the trail, a PSC hydralic assist kit has always been the plan, just havent needed it yet. If I do go that route, what kit is best for 37+ tires? Extreme duty one needed?

Plz comments are welcome, I work all day but should be able to answer questions friday evening

[quote="Frylock"]Sometime this week a thumping noise has started, only happens when turning the steering wheel right, like just before it starts to turn the tires (with and without engine running).....There is a thump sound and a slight almost shake of the jeep, like I can feel it from the floor boards. I finally had some help today and the noise is coming from the gear box ......The shafts dont have any play and it doesnt look like anything is loose. Still very driveable, but I think there is a little more slop then there used to be.
So does this sound like something a gear box would do before it takes a shit? I really dont want anything to do with steering to break while on the trail, a PSC hydralic assist kit has always been the plan, just havent needed it yet. If I do go that route, what kit is best for 37+ tires? Extreme duty one needed?
[/quote]
The trail & Street kit has the ram that is a little smaller and handles better on the road. The extreme has the bigger ram that gives more turning power on the trail, but can be too touchy on the freeway. You have to decide what you want on that one.

Have you checked the joint between the steering shafts, and the mounting bolts for the steering box? Also check the drag link and rod ends for failure. It is entirely possible that the steering gear is going out and is common with Jeeps running 37s on the stock box.

I havent really tore into anything yet. The draglink end, I have fixed before when the hole wollowing out, but I see no movement this time. Guess I will have to research the best kit for me, I just dont want to regret going with something bigger incase I do roll on 40s some day. Rams are so cheap Im thinking of just going overkill and then just swapping to a smaller ram if needed.

My old XJ had a 1 3/8" ram with a small bore Saginaw steering box (stock box) and turned 37's just fine. The buggy has a small bore box and a 1 3/4" ram and turns 40" stickies easily. I'd stay with a 1 1/2" ram, you don't need anything bigger than that, and the smaller ram could be better on the street.