May have to replace my steering box because of this dam thing! All I was doing was installing a new track bar and the slick steering arm brace. The brace sounded like a good idea because of all the Steering box problems I have seen on-line. Now I have a major problem.

This is what I was trying to install:

The nut/bearing surface in the left of the picture is what I am having problems with.

While trying to install the Rock Solid steering arm brace I start installing the new nut/bearing surface, it screws on about half way and gets a little tight, I think no big deal and try and get past the tight spot with the wrench, it will not turn so I try and back it off and inspect it and it will not back off either. The nut is stuck half on, broke a 1/2in extension trying to get it to unscrew and nothing, like its welded on! Next, I go get a 1 3/8” impact socket thinking it should be able to take it off, of course this does not work either. I think the impact will not work because the whole assembly can move so the impact really is not having the ability to do its job. At this point I think the only option is to pull the steering box and put the pitman arm in a big ass vice to see if the impact can take it off while the steering shaft is not able to move. Really worried at this point that the threads on the shaft will be messed up when/if I ever get this dam nut off causing me to purchase a whole new steering box for $720.

I called Rock Solid and they did say they had one other problem with the nut not being tapped properly before but not to the extent I am seeing, they are sending me a new one. I would be happy just to be able to get the stock nut back on so I could drive the Jeep. I just can’t understand how this thing is so stuck on there, never seen anything like it, I used little to no force putting it on to the point it is and then BAM, stuck like its welded on. It is not cross threaded either, that would have been evident right after starting it on such a large nut I would not have gotten 1 thread engaged. Anybody seen something like this before?

Does anybody have any tips for taking the steering box out? It looks like I need to remove the coil spring to get at one of the bolts? Other than that it just looks like I just have to remove the drag link, the coolant overflow tank, power steering lines, and disconnect the steering linkage. Is this correct? Any gotchas I need to know about?

This whole thing is about to drive me insane, should have been a simple upgrade and turning out to be a nightmare.

Thank You in advance for any advice you can give me.

 

Sorry to bring up a bit older thread but moparmad74; any update on this?

I'm gradually upgrading the front of my 11 JKU Rubi and I never plan to lift it; the Rocksolid steering brace seems to be the only one for stock JK's but it sounds like you probably wouldn't reccomend it?; thanks for any updates.

 

I have the RSP brace and track bar installed on my 2012 JKU. I had a 4x4 shop install it so I cannot speak for the ease of installation, however, I have not had any issues with mine. I do grease mine every couple thousand miles. It has been "rock solid"

 

I also had the same issue and thought the same thing. A little tight, whats the big deal...right? WRONG. I contacted RSP and they sent me a new bearing nut immediately at no cost. I ended up having to cut off the defective nut and file some of the threads on the sector shaft to salvage my steering box but all was well and the brace worked perfectly for the time I had it on. I only ended up removing it from my rig because I installed a Flip Kit and my TrackBar was hitting it after the install.

If you just take it slow and install it carefully, you will be fine. If you start to feel it getting tight DONT FORCE IT!!!! Back it off and inspect the nut and the sector shaft threads.

Again, if you take your time installing, make sure you grease it for normal maintenance, you should be good to go!

Rick

 

Same problem with mine last month. Robert from RSP is really helpful but if it gets real tight and you don't have the tools to proceed, back up and back it off and wait for a new nut. It was scary but I put some pb blaster on it, waited and put the breaker bar and 2 ft cheater pipe to it for removal...phew crisis and new steering box averted. I ended up just cleaning up the threads and reinstalling the first nut...it went on better but Don't do what I did wait for a new one.