It's possible for the shaft out of the steering box that the pitman arm is fastened to to be bent (twisted) under heavy wheeling. I believe its called a sector shaft.

I don't know if there is a fix for a bent/twisted sector shaft. I know there are several braces for it to try and prevent issues, but I think once its bent it requires a new steering box to correct. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can chime in...

 

This link has some great info !

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...ering-Box-Mods

 

Depending on what you bent/twisted, I've read that most folks replace the sector shaft yearly because they are so weak. I know for a fact that I've bent mine rock crawling. I wish I had a pictures but the shaft's teeth are missing and I made a quick fix by spot welding. When I found this, it was when I got back on pavement after a trip and my drag link was way off and in doing a check of all components, I found the shaft was messed up. It's pretty common with the older jk's. I think two fixed the issue with later models. I have an 07.

 

So can the sector shaft be replaced? Or is there a need for a whole new box?

 

Wow this thread is really helpful. I'm almost convinced that it's my sector shaft now. It's the only thing that could have bent and for sure the weakest link in my steering setup. Now I'm concerned it's going to break after having bent it back and forth so many times. Fingers crosse it doesn't happen on road. Jeep's at the shop for a cracked manifold now, I'll have them look at the sector shaft too.

 

Many thanks for the link to that thread. I never would have thought of that.

 

so a sector shaft can be replaced without the entire steering box being replaced?

 

Let me know how that goes, I might have to do that as well

 

Looks like I'll be sending my steering box to PSC for a rebuild and maybe install their sector shaft brace.