85 Jeep steering box removal

jaf2976

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2007
Location
Siloam
I need to rebuild / replace the manual steering box on our CJ-7. It's the original from '85, stuck on pretty well, and wanders like a DUI.:beer: Anyone have any advice on what to use to free up the old bolts? I'm planning on replacing them with new grade 8 ones.
 
Find any of the dozen good penetrating/rust busting oils... Krol, PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, etc...

Start spraying all the hardware down *several* days before hand. Hit any mud caked threads with a wire brush first...

A 1/2" ratchet and correct sized socket ought to do fine to break them loose. Back them up with a box endIf not, you may need a chunk of cheater pipe over the ratchet handle... If that doesn't do it, an impact will make short work.

It you have no 1/2" ratchet, cheater pipe, or impact... now might be the time to go shopping...:lol:
 
And this might be a good time to consider a power steering upgrade.
If you are already springing for a box you are half way there, time and money wise.

And you might actually have an easier time finding a PS box than a manual one for a CJ7.
 
wbcarver said:
And this might be a good time to consider a power steering upgrade.
If you are already springing for a box you are half way there, time and money wise.
And you might actually have an easier time finding a PS box than a manual one for a CJ7.
Click to expand...
Ditto. The box is a bolt on. The brackets for the 258 can come from any AMC product with the same engine. The only other thing is to get the coupling to mate the steering shaft to the steering box. Its different from the manual one.

Expect to break some off if you aren't careful. Once the steering box is off, you can soak the remains better, and use vise-grips to work them off. I think I broke 3 on mine many moons ago.
 
Also remember to use a six sided socket, not a twelve.
 
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