Cracked steering box end cap?

[EBGeek]

Hey all, so apparently I have cracked the end cap on my power steering box and I'm trying to determine if I can source/replace the end cap without having to ship off to West Texas Offroad. Anyone know or experienced this before? I hit a curb in a parking lot going very slow but apparently fast enough (or hit it just right)to crack the end cap...

 

[EBGeek]

Apologies - this is the only way I can find to post a pic since I'm not a contributor anymore

https://imgur.com/gallery/8LJxxdM

 

[EBGeek]

I guess if all else fails, I could remove the end cap and have someone (not me) who is a welder weld the crack but I'd rather replace it if possible

 

[Yeller]

They are available as replacement. They are not too difficult to replace, other than messy, all you need to know is the OD of the cap.

 

[gnpenning]

There is a little hole in the housing that you can put a small punch in to push out part of that snap ring. Then pull it out.

As Yeller mentioned be ready for fluid to rush out.

 

[EBGeek]

Thanks all, I'll see if I can get the snap ring out, i wasn't aware of the access hole...

 

[docj2006]

They have replacement caps that are ported for ram steering as well. One of the other members recently cracked his while wheeling at smorr. He is currently in the process of replacing it with one of these and drilling the box for the other port forthe ram. Just another option.

 

[FordBronc]

That would be me...I broke mine out on the trail a while back and should get this one below in the mail this coming Monday. I ordered the 3" one. I will let you know how well it fits. I am going to do the 4 bolt top cap (drill and tap) myself. And then doing the hydro assist set up.

https://diy4x.com/product.php?productid=17691&page=1

Here is a video to get it the old one out. 2:27 is the good stuff start point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i7ywjpbxYs

If you are not going hydro assist, you can plug it off and then have a heavy duty end cap. You might have to drill a hole in the core support for the plug to clear.

If you want to weld it/get it repaired, FYI it is aluminium...

 

[gnpenning]

Thanks all, I'll see if I can get the snap ring out, i wasn't aware of the access hole...

Remember when you reinstall that you don't have the gap lined up with the hole.....

 

[FordBronc]

Remember when you reinstall that you don't have the gap lined up with the hole.....

X2 and have the end of the snap ring fall out to be about 1/4 PAST the hole.

 

[FordBronc]

Got the 3" Diy4x one in the mail today. Without an o ring, fits like a champ, once the o ring is on the cap or in the box o ring groove, I feel that it is going to be a bear to get in there. Glad I have a spare o ring.

Now trying to decide if I need to mill down the new one (on the inside lip) to make it the same height as the old one.....thoughts on that anyone?

Also with the cap installed in the "test fit mode", and turning the input shaft (and moving the internal piston) the piston end bolt DOES bottom out on the cap.

What to do what to do. The new cap is way thicker in the center to accept the 1/2" worth of drill and tapping for threads.

Ideas.

 

[EBGeek]

Hey @FordBronc, I'm not sure about your thicker cap EU

 

[FordBronc]

I am taking it to the local machine shop tomorrow to see what those guys think about machining out some of the inside to make it deeper to clear the piston.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Out of courisity, did it have a steering damper on it? The stories I recall were that Ford added them because they were destroying steering boxes.

 

[Viperwolf1]

If you don't make the inside depth the same as the original cap it will limit the travel to the right.

To get the cap on lube the oring and push it all the way down in the box. Then push the cap into it and put the retaining ring on. Should be able to do it by hand.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[FordBronc]

Out of curiosity, did it have a steering damper on it? The stories I recall were that Ford added them because they were destroying steering boxes.

No it did not, I removed it due to the steering travel limit it put in it. I do have my steering knuckle limit stops adjusted correctly to save my front axle u joints. I have been thinking about putting it back on. But I do wheel it carefully and for the most part avoid hard fast full limit tire hits.

But this is the 2nd steering box I had to put on it.

If you don't make the inside depth the same as the original cap it will limit the travel to the right.

To get the cap on lube the o ring and push it all the way down in the box. Then push the cap into it and put the retaining ring on. Should be able to do it by hand.

I am looking at getting some inside milled out. And thanks for the o ring install advice.

 

[EBGeek]

Yeah I have a damper on the drag link, guess I just hit it just right to bust it up...

@FordBronc, I can't speak to the fitment of the thicker/drilled end cap, as my steering box butts up and almost touches my 4 core radiator, so I don't think that would fit my application.

In other news, I had a buddy with a junk steering box off an 80 something YJ that had the same end cap and it appears to be leak free at this point. Thanks everyone for the input on removing / replacing the snap ring. Getting mine out was easy since it had been recently rebuilt by WTO. The 40 year old jeep box was another issue altogether and a total PITA.

Thanks everyone, looks like I'm back on the road!!!

 

[FordBronc]

My steering box touches the backside of the core support. It has had a smack in the front end/fender. The fwd dvrs side body frame mount shows it. If I go with the thicker cap I am going to cut a clearance hole in the core support.

Glad to hear you got yours fixed so easy and back on the road.

 

[FordBronc]

Well as a follow up to this story (mine anyway) I took the old cracked cap and the new aftermarket cap from diy4x to the machine shop. They are going to make the 2 professionally match depth wise.

They are taking off enough of the (red arrow part) to make the edges (in the box) line up.

EBGeek sorry for the thread highjack.

 

[EBGeek]

Not at all, thanks for the update @FordBronc! Glad you're gonna get yours back on the road as well....