Need help on a 1990 wrangler….

I know this is a tundra forum but I figured I would ask here as i know a lot of you have other hobbies and are mechanically inclined. I did ask the jeep forum and got a few responses.

i bought a base manual 2.5l 1990 wrangler yj for the wife last year. She always wanted a jeep and it’s a project for me so it’s a win win. It needed a lot of tlc but is drivable. I went about replacing some of the major issues over the winter while I had time. I replaced the front and rear differential fluids and covers, radiator and hoses, Pittman arm, fuel filter and lines, all shocks, all body mounts, and heater blower / core motor myself. I had my local shop replace the tires, steering shaft and brake lines.

One thing that has bothered her is the play in the steering. It’s a known issue in the wranglers that are that old. The new steering shaft formed things up quite a bit but the wife was still uncomfortable. So I did a bunch of reading and found that replacing the steering box is recommended. It was cheap so I figured why not. Well I got the old one off and the new one mounted but admittedly stripped the high pressure hose fitting when trying to thread onto the new box. I figured no big deal, I will just replace the high pressure line. Well, I noticed that the nut holding the line to the back of the pump was rounded badly - looks like the previous owner tried the same thing and gave up. I cut the line and tried to get an easy out socket on it but there is no room or leverage to tap it on tight. I tried Vice grips but it’s a thin nut and can’t get much to grab onto. I actually have a replacement power steering pump so I am thinking of just taking it to the shop and having them do it all at once - replace the lines and pump. BUT I would rather try to save a few hundred dollars. If I can get this nut off, I know I can simply replace the line and get her driving it. All will be right with the world. The only other thing I have to do is weld a frame patch where there is a small hole by one of the leaf springs shackle mounts (frame is still structurally fine).

anyone have any good tips on how to get this fitting removed from the back of the steering pump? I can try to get pictures if that would be helpful but it’s in my buddy’s garage at the moment. I did try to heat it with a torch to free it up as it looks like there is some Teflon paste / glue on the fitting but didn’t want to leave ot too long as there are some rubber connectors and harnesses pretty close. Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

No great ideas on how to get that line nut off, but I put this on my Wrangler and thought the overall steering feel was a lot better; it felt a lot more solid.
https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/R2008.html

 

Thanks for this; just ordered. Figured it can’t hurt and anything to sure up the steering is a positive. I have it all apart now so nothing to lose on this. Appreciate the mention