1987 YJ power steering gear box

[zrishell]

Hi all, brand new to the group. I just got a 1987 yj about 2 months ago. 4.2L with an auto. I’m fairly new to wrenching on vehicles but have done some light work here and there.

My issue is that I’m replacing the power steering gear box and I’m at the point of putting the remanufactured one in. However, I can’t for the life of me get the power steering gear box to go the full way in to the steering shaft. I made sure the splines are lined up and the inside of the steering shatter where the splines meet is clean. I sprayed some wd-40 in as well to try to help with some lubricant. I can only get it in part of the way. Any recommendations and advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ytradio]

Can’t tell from the pictures, but is the steering box mounted? If not mount it first. Have you taken the shaft all the way out? And if you have are you able to collapse and extend it? Also you may try expanding the end of the shaft a little by driving a wedge or chisel into the split. The bolt will pull it back together. I had to do this when installing new shaft. Also if I recall, there is a flat spot on steering box shaft that has to line up with the shaft from steering wheel.