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[CeeJay]

Just had my Jeep Cherokee (1999 XJ 4 Litre Orvis) Steering Box refurbished.

I’ve had the car back from the garage (who weren’t impressed themselves with the steering when they road tested it) for a few days and at low speed the car is twitchy and needs a lot of steering input to correct the wheel, but at higher speeds it calms down and becomes stable.  It has been getting a little better as I drive the car but I was wondering if anyone else has had this issue?  Do refurbished boxes take a while to ‘bed in’ or have I got more problems?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Regards
Craig.

[Dave69]

did the person who replaced the box bleed the steering system fully? does the steering feel notchy at low speeds and smooth at high?

might be the pump thats not working efficiently

[CeeJay]

did the person who replaced the box bleed the steering system fully? does the steering feel notchy at low speeds and smooth at high?

might be the pump thats not working efficiently

Hi Dave

Theres no notchyness in the wheel - its just very twitchy at low speed.  I know the garage that replaced the box did have issues when refilling the system, but rather than try and remember what was said I'm going to get the garage to give me a few details of the issue to post up - that way I'm saying the right thing!  I hope to have the details in the next few minutes, so I'll post those up asap.

Regards
Craig.

[CeeJay]

did the person who replaced the box bleed the steering system fully? does the steering feel notchy at low speeds and smooth at high?

might be the pump thats not working efficiently

Hi Dave

Theres no notchyness in the wheel - its just very twitchy at low speed.  I know the garage that replaced the box did have issues when refilling the system, but rather than try and remember what was said I'm going to get the garage to give me a few details of the issue to post up - that way I'm saying the right thing!  I hope to have the details in the next few minutes, so I'll post those up asap.

Regards
Craig.

Hi Dave

The mechanic (who's a mate of mine) tells me that the steering box "Seemed gummed up initially. But eventually cleared and bled through".

Regards
Craig.

[CeeJay]

Hi All

I took my Jeep to a Jeep Specialist to have the steering box checked out as its been geting worse, in fact I very nearly had an serious accident on the way to the specialist when the steering decided it didn't want to repond to the wheel anymore while driving over a bridge which is some 300 feet above ground level.

I dont want to think what would have happened if I hadn't been able to catch-it and correct it, but I really think some-one 'upstairs' was looking after me.

Anyway the Jeep specialist has advised me that the box is not fit for the road.  It seems that the main spindle (or spigot - I forget the terminology) can be moved from left to right, when there should be no movement (I'll post up the mechanics report when I get it). 

The Jeep is safe enough to drive upto 50mph but above this it becomes very unstable to the point of being potentially lethal, so its going back to the Reconditioners.

I'm pretty p*ssed off, as by the time I've paid to have the box to be removed & re-fitted for the second time I would have been as cheap to have bought a brand new box from Weirs (Jeep Main Dealer in Perth) for £700.

I have to say I doubt I'll ever buy reconditioned parts again, as this has really put me off.

Regards
C. 

[isle of man]

The reconditioned box should have a warranty and as such no further cost to yourself - a trip to the local trading standards will open doors for you!!!!

[CeeJay]

The reconditioned box should have a warranty and as such no further cost to yourself - a trip to the local trading standards will open doors for you!!!!

I hope thats the case as with luck the reconditioners (who are long established and reputable) with honour their work and fix the problem, BUT having had a hell of a scare in the Jeep (I truly believe I came with seconds of being killed) my confidence in the box has been badly shaken, and I'm considering just asking for my money back and buying a new one.

C.

[The Smiths]

really not good - would have been a lot safer paying £50 for one from a reputable breaker

[CeeJay]

really not good - would have been a lot safer paying £50 for one from a reputable breaker

In hindsight that would have been for the best! 

But at the time I reasoned that because its such an important part I wanted it to be first-class so I thought reconditioning the original would be the way to go - especially as a new one is £700 which a bit on the dear side!

Oh well I can only hope the Reconditioner plays fair (which I think they will) and either fixes it or re-inburses me.  However as I've said above, even if its fixed, there will still be doubts in my mind about it - almost taking a 300 foot swan dive into the River Tay tends to leave its mark on you!

C.

P.s Anyone know of a new box going for less than £700?

[Tank]

Not sure if Grand one the same or not,but they might be worth an ask if they do one for your model anyway
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JEEP-GRAND-CHEROKEE-1999-05-STEERING-BOX-RHD-/230658880176?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35b45732b0#ht_500wt_922

[CeeJay]

Not sure if Grand one the same or not,but they might be worth an ask if they do one for your model anyway
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JEEP-GRAND-CHEROKEE-1999-05-STEERING-BOX-RHD-/230658880176?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item35b45732b0#ht_500wt_922

Hi Tank

Thanks for the url - I did see that one when I was first looking, but I admit I'd completely forgotten about it.  I'll give Weirs a call tonight and get the part number that I need from them - if its the same one then this at least give me another option.

Many thanks mate as you may have saved me £150!

Regards
Craig.

[tim_aka_tim]

Part number for 1999 XJ steering gear (proper name for steering box) is 52088532AH

[CeeJay]

Part number for 1999 XJ steering gear (proper name for steering box) is 52088532AH

Thanks for the info Tim.

With this number I've found a source for a steering box in the US (And yes its a RHD Version - why they sell them I don't know!), for just £320 new.

I know there will be delivery and tax on top of this but even then I think it'll still be less than £500 (I've imported bits for cars from the states before).  I'll drop them an email and see what they can do.

The url is (if anyone is interested):

http://shoplive.rompalicious.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7590

Regards to all who've replied - you've all been a great help!

C.

[CeeJay]

Hi All

I got the report from the jeep specialist - its short and not-so-sweet:

"Steering box drop arm has unacceptable sideways movement within steering box (suspect shaft or bearing wear)."

"N.B Car dangerous to drive."

So I'll be contacting the refurbisher and hopefully getting this rectified or I'll be requesting my money back.  This really isn't the result I was expecting having spent £250 having the box refurbed!

C.

[CeeJay]

Hi All

I eventually got the box problems sorted.  Basically long story cut short:

The box went back to the refurbisher and they inspected it. 

They claimed it came back in a different state then went it left them but refurbished it and sent it back to the garage.

The same garage did the re-fitting and this time there where no problems.

I've been left with a second re-fit bill as there no way to determine who caused the problem (Refurbishers, Carrier or Garage) but as the chap who fitted the box is a close personal friend I doubt very much the fault is with the garage.

Oh well I suppose it could have been worse, but it was a bill I could have done without.

Thanks for those who replied to my post during this thread, your help has been appreciated. 

And finally, if you need a new box for your 4*4 I'd recommend biting the bullet and buying a new one - I'm not sure refurbishing is the way to go!

Regards
C.

[Dave69]

how can you damage a lump of metal between supply and fitment? these things are solid and bl@@dy heavy. the only damage you could physically do is damage the splines to the pitman arm and steering shaft connection.

unless the delivery company drove over it etc but then the package would reflect this.

at least you are now sorted