Stiff turning after power steering gear box replacement.

[Shaydon]

Hey guys I have a problem I recently ran in to. I recently replaced my power steering gear box on my 96 Cherokee due to bad seals in the old one, after I replaced it I bled the system properly doing the whole wheels off the ground, turning lock to lock 15-20 times ignition on and off, watching for bubbles and topping off power steering fluid. When my jeep is on the ground my wheels dont turn even with the ignition running it's very stiff to turn my wheel when reversing/driving and makes a grinding sound sometimes turning left and right about 1 1/2 turn. I replaced the seals in my previous gear box but they just kept blowing out from the pitman arm, after about 5 times redoing the seals I replaced the whole gear box. It seems like I'm not getting any power steering at all, my fluid is topped off, no whining while turning, just really hard to turn while driving and can't turn the wheel at all when sitting still. Sorry to the long post but any solutions to my problem guys? Thanks!

[4.3LXJ]

New or used box?

[Shaydon]

New steering box

[4.3LXJ]

Do you know if it is adjusted to tight?

[Shaydon]

Left it stock I figured it would be adjusted, plus I have a little bit of play in my steering, and I thought the top adjuster bolt is just for play in the steering wheel

[4.3LXJ]

It is possible to get them adjusted too tight. If that happens, you will experience the symptoms you describe. You might try backing it off a little and see if it loosens up

[bluedragon436]

I've read a few folks have had similar issue.. and as Steve said you can back off that top adjustment bolt just a bit, not too much though... if you back it off too much, I was reading online you can damage the box... and on top of that if they can tell you adjusted it will void any kind of warranty on the box...

[Shaydon]

Ok I'll try to back it off a little and see if that changes any. Are there any other things that it could possibly be? Such as ball joints etc.

[4.3LXJ]

Probably not

[Shaydon]

Well there is also a popping sound when I turn my wheel, could that be ball joints? And if so would it be upper or lowers?

[4.3LXJ]

Are you sure the popping noise is from the knuckles?

[Shaydon]

I'm not sure where it's exactly coming from its in the front by the drivers side tire I believe and only happens when I turn my wheels when I pull off and turn is usually when it happens or making a rounder turn, I can't turn my wheels at all while sitting still like your supposed to be able to.

[4.3LXJ]

Well, try the adjustment first. If that doesn't fix it, then your new box may be defective. A ball joint shouldn't make it that stiff

[bluedragon436]

Do you have anyone that can turn the wheel for you, with the front end jacked up?? That way you can see if something might be binding or popping??

[beatupjeep]

so...you can turn the steering wheel lock to lock VERY easily with wheels in the air? as in zero resistance?

then when you lower it, its unmovable?

see if you can VERY gradually lower it and figure out the exact point where the steering wheel becomes impossible to move..maybe something is binding and you will be able to catch it

some other things to think about:

maybe your pump is bad and not providing any high pressure? (no assist)

maybe your lines are clogged?

maybe you have the lines hooked up backwards to the box? (pretty sure thats impossible..)

[Shaydon]

It doesn't pop when it's off the ground only when it's sitting on the ground when I take off.