I have a 2012 JK. I purchased a used steering box off a low mile 2017 JK for a hydro assist project.

I cannot find any tutorials on how to disassemble a box on a 2012+ JK specifically. It’s a fresh box so I am not doing a rebuild on it, I just need to disassemble it enough to get the holes drilled/tapped and the metal shavings cleared out. Can’t seem to find references for this specific box.

I have used the search and searched on google as well btw…

 

Unless you have a Delphi box, you're going to be drilling and tapping in a best efforts to keep burs outta there. If you google tapping JK steering box, you're going to find some good threads and videos showing you exactly where to drill. SV_dude recently did this and you can check out his frame notch thread in the modified section. He's had a couple issues, but there are several that have been successful with this over the years, both on this forum and others.........but, I don't think you're going to be disassembling in the process as you hope.

 

I took out my box I drilled and found the issue. At least one of two possible issues. The Teflon lining in the stock pressure line came un done and slipped into the gear box. This could have been because the higher pressure psc pump was too much for the stock line. This also could have been because contamination from me drilling and tapping my box caused over heating in the fluid causing the Teflon lining to slip.

Eventually I’m going to tear the box apart and clean it out (replace o-rings if necessary) and sell it. If you look at where I tapped my box, the locations are correct since my ram did move accordingly to steering inputs.

Also, there’s a thread somewhere where a guy rebuilt his steering box. I don’t really understand why the Chinese boxes can’t be rebuilt, west Texas off-road told me they have rebuild kits for them and will rebuild them.

link:
https://www.jkowners.com/threads/jk-...ebuild.248890/

 

Do you have a link to that? Most the talk about tapping boxes is really old. Maybe I'm just wrong, it's just been my understanding...but that doesn't mean it's correct. It's another road you can pave for future members!

**i see your edit as i was responding.

 

I still only see specific talk about the Delphi box in that thread unless I'm missing something. WTO's website sux. Gonna email them and try to clarify.

 

That is my understanding as well, I had previously found that thread. The box was described as an 07-09 Delphi...

 

WTO charges a core so I assume they can rebuild any JK box...

Update: I just called WTO and for what its worth here is a verbatim transcript of the brief call. I didn't want to waste too much of his time so I only asked a few questions:

Q: Can a 2017 JK box be rebuilt?
A: Yes

Q: I read online that only Delphi boxes can be rebuilt is that true?
A: No, that’s just adding fuel to the fire

Q: So would the Chinese box be disassembled the same way as the Delphi?
A: Yes, the only difference is the sector shaft cannot be replaced on the Chinese box.

Q: Do you sell a rebuild kit for the Chinese box?
A: Yes but we do not have any to sell right now because of low stock.

Q: How much would you charge me for a rebuild and tap on my 2017 box?
A: $385

 

Thank you. I had sent a message and hadn't heard back yet. It's strange that there is so little talk about anyone rebuilding a Chinese box. It's time that someone documents this well. I can think of two good candidates!

 

haha. Hint hint...

they told me the same thing about the Chinese box. If I get around to it I’ll document a rebuild of my cardone box. It’s mechanically the same as a Delphi or Chinese box so it will be very relevant but I don’t know what it will classify as far as Delphi or Chinese.

 

Well, I'll just say that ya never stop learning things, and this thread has been educational for all. I just can't believe in several years there hasn't been more discussion about rebuilding the newer boxes. Back when I got a RNR, I weighed the risk drilling/tapping myself vs just getting a box from them and figured the small bit more it was gonna cost was worth peace of mind since I'd always heard/read that. I confirmed that they knew I was returning a Chinese box at the time, and that was that. Sorry for the confusion.