Power steering loss

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:39 am

So I was driving up a mountain yesterday and the power steering went out. Sucked that is had to happen when almost at the top of many switch backs. Anyway I was unable to locate where the leak was coming from but I suspect somewhere around the the steering rack as the leak is low and by the drivers side tire. Anyone else have this happen? I won't be able to get under there and really look at things for a couple of days so I was hoping maybe someone had a similar experience. Going down the mountain was a real b***H and you could see the spot where it was like the power steering exploded shooting fliud out.

daspes · **Posted:** Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:45 pm

oh yeah... I remember that day. Mine vomited fluid all over Kane Creek in Moab back in April. Oh boy, felt every obstacle for the rest fo the trail. I repressed the memory for months.

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:48 pm

Did yours pop a seal or something at down at the rack? I still won't have a chance to check it out for a while. If its nothing major I will see if I can fix it, but me believes this is going to be more than a popped hose...................lol

daspes · **Posted:** Fri Oct 17, 2008 4:39 am

Yep ,blew a seal on the passenger side.

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:42 am

Did you have to replace the whole thing or is it something that can be fixed.

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 3:17 am

This reminds me of an article i read that explained that in the 'old' days before power steering when off-roading one needed to let the steering wheel go where it wanted. This actually helped the steering last longer as it was not constantly fighting your steering wheel. With the advent of power steering now it is easy for people to control the steering at all times which may not be a good thing. This is because it can put a lot of stress on the steering components. Instead restraint from the steering wheel is necessary. Just like in the 'old' days allow the steering wheel to go where it wants. Just control the general direction of the vehicle but not every movement of the steering wheel so that you do not overtax the steering components.

daspes · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 3:52 am

KJ Taz wrote:

Did you have to replace the whole thing or is it something that can be fixed.

Yes the whole rack has to come out. Troy (TJKJ) helped me out with the replacement in the camp parking lot there in Moab. The worst part was trying to get the rack finagled out, without removing to many other parts.

He did a pretty good write up in one of the posts in the Moab 2008 section I believe. I'll try to find it for you.

daspes · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:04 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

dirtykj wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

Your in luck,I just replaced a steering rack today with the help of Daspes(here in MOAB,in a campground) on his KJ.He blew the seals out on Kanes Creek and we got a remaned rack overnighted at CarQuest($340ish) and replaced it today.I had a idea for easy removal and it worked like a charm.You can remove/install a rack in a KJ(gasser and non HD cooling only) in less then 4 hours and without removing the front diff.Sorry no pics,to busy replacing the rack.

That does sound interesting. Last time the dealer in California replaced the bushing it took a couple of days to do it and I'm pretty sure they had to remove the diff too (by the book). What's this method of yours?

I'm pretty sure they (they current dealer) just want to make the margin on the part (they quote $1280 for the rack itself which is a little ... mmm). There are other reasons that make me unhappy about this dealership besides so I'm a little suspect of their reasoning.

This what I did......

1)Jack vehicle up,place the front on jack stands
2)Remove front wheels
3)Remove outer tie rod ends from knuckles and inner tie rod ends
4)Remove front skid(if you have one)
5)Unbolt pass side front diff mount,you will not be able to remove the farthest forward bolt without removing the LCA,and let hang
6)Unbolt the middle(in front of the diff cover) diff mount,again one bolt will not be removeable with the LCA on,and let hang
7)Remove oil filter

Remove serp belt
9)remove pressure/return lines on the rack
10)remove lower pressure line from bottom of PS pump
11)Discontect steering shaft(lock the steering wheel first,or you will damage the clockspring,use ratchet straps or bungi cords)
12)remove 2 bolts holding rack to cradle
13)move rack all the way to drivers side to lower pass end
14)move rack all the way to the pass side and start feeding up torwards upper raditor hose
15)with another persons aid,slowly worm the rack up on the left side(pass)of the upper raditor hose until out,yep it comes up out of the engine bay
16)install is oppisite of removal

Now if you have a '02 KJ the pass side diff mount may not drop out of the way,this should be okay,just a little more work.With HD cooling if you remove the mechanical fan,electric fan,and shroud this should work for you also.Removing the electric fan/shroud may make this way alot easier.

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:29 am

my rack also blew out on a trail... really sucks without power steering! luckily mine was covered under warranty

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:45 pm

icarl wrote:

This reminds me of an article i read that explained that in the 'old' days before power steering when off-roading one needed to let the steering wheel go where it wanted. This actually helped the steering last longer as it was not constantly fighting your steering wheel. With the advent of power steering now it is easy for people to control the steering at all times which may not be a good thing. This is because it can put a lot of stress on the steering components. Instead restraint from the steering wheel is necessary. Just like in the 'old' days allow the steering wheel to go where it wants. Just control the general direction of the vehicle but not every movement of the steering wheel so that you do not overtax the steering components.

Good Point, I've never thought if it that way. It would make sense that the additional stress of Power Steering comes into play when we force the wheels over difficult obstacles. The steering force meets the natural resistance and creates a lot of stress, maybe to the point of damaging the steering components. I wonder if the damaged steering components is caused by wear and tear over time or is caused by a sudden stress resulting in an immediate failure?

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:53 pm

icarl wrote:

This reminds me of an article i read that explained that in the 'old' days before power steering when off-roading one needed to let the steering wheel go where it wanted. This actually helped the steering last longer as it was not constantly fighting your steering wheel. With the advent of power steering now it is easy for people to control the steering at all times which may not be a good thing. This is because it can put a lot of stress on the steering components. Instead restraint from the steering wheel is necessary. Just like in the 'old' days allow the steering wheel to go where it wants. Just control the general direction of the vehicle but not every movement of the steering wheel so that you do not overtax the steering components.

If I let the steering wheel go where it wanted on this trail, I would not be here today to post. lol

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:54 pm

daspes wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

dirtykj wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

Your in luck,I just replaced a steering rack today with the help of Daspes(here in MOAB,in a campground) on his KJ.He blew the seals out on Kanes Creek and we got a remaned rack overnighted at CarQuest($340ish) and replaced it today.I had a idea for easy removal and it worked like a charm.You can remove/install a rack in a KJ(gasser and non HD cooling only) in less then 4 hours and without removing the front diff.Sorry no pics,to busy replacing the rack.

That does sound interesting. Last time the dealer in California replaced the bushing it took a couple of days to do it and I'm pretty sure they had to remove the diff too (by the book). What's this method of yours?

I'm pretty sure they (they current dealer) just want to make the margin on the part (they quote $1280 for the rack itself which is a little ... mmm). There are other reasons that make me unhappy about this dealership besides so I'm a little suspect of their reasoning.

This what I did......

1)Jack vehicle up,place the front on jack stands
2)Remove front wheels
3)Remove outer tie rod ends from knuckles and inner tie rod ends
4)Remove front skid(if you have one)
5)Unbolt pass side front diff mount,you will not be able to remove the farthest forward bolt without removing the LCA,and let hang
6)Unbolt the middle(in front of the diff cover) diff mount,again one bolt will not be removeable with the LCA on,and let hang
7)Remove oil filter

Remove serp belt
9)remove pressure/return lines on the rack
10)remove lower pressure line from bottom of PS pump
11)Discontect steering shaft(lock the steering wheel first,or you will damage the clockspring,use ratchet straps or bungi cords)
12)remove 2 bolts holding rack to cradle
13)move rack all the way to drivers side to lower pass end
14)move rack all the way to the pass side and start feeding up torwards upper raditor hose
15)with another persons aid,slowly worm the rack up on the left side(pass)of the upper raditor hose until out,yep it comes up out of the engine bay
16)install is oppisite of removal

Now if you have a '02 KJ the pass side diff mount may not drop out of the way,this should be okay,just a little more work.With HD cooling if you remove the mechanical fan,electric fan,and shroud this should work for you also.Removing the electric fan/shroud may make this way alot easier.

Thanks for the info, this is a big help!

gone_jeepin · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 1:19 pm

My power steering went out after I went through a pretty nasty mud hole, It did come back tho after I drove 20miles home. Any thoughts on what would have caused that?

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:48 pm

gone_jeepin wrote:

My power steering went out after I went through a pretty nasty mud hole, It did come back tho after I drove 20miles home. Any thoughts on what would have caused that?

you probably got the power steering pump/bet that drives it wet causing it to slip.. not turning the pump.. and not working

i've done that too ahha

InCommando · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 3:06 pm

daspes wrote:

Yep ,blew a seal on the passenger side.

Keep your personal life out of this, please..... :shock:

daspes · **Posted:** Sat Oct 18, 2008 6:29 pm

InCommando wrote:

daspes wrote:

Yep ,blew a seal on the passenger side.

Keep your personal life out of this, please..... :shock:

Oh Boy.... :roll:

Power steering loss

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