Omix Ada steering failure...

Thought I would post this up for everyone so that you can consider this when looking to rebuild your Ross box. I rebuilt mine a couple of months ago with the following parts:
-new seals/bushings/gaskets
-new sector shaft
-new bearings
-tightsteer installed
-new pitman arm

I did re-use the original worm drive as it showed minimal signs of wear.

Shortcut to today, the Jeep has driven 523 miles since the rebuild and the steering has been getting progressively looser. At first I thought it was a break-in of the new parts, then I made some adjustments to the tightsteer. Today I opened up the box: finding a glittery chips in the gear oil and this:







The Omix-Ada part with 523 miles on it is on the left, a factory Willys sector shaft with 50,000 miles on it is on the right. Obviously this part was made from completely sub-par cheap steel. I will say that the tightsteer setup is likely the only reason I was able to drive without the steering binding. Needless to say, this cheap part gouged the worm gear and ruined it.

This is the kit that I used: http://www.kaiserwillys.com/product/825/willys-jeep-steering-gear-box-repair-parts-accessories

I am not saying anything bad about Kaiser Willys at all as they have been great thus far. I'll be contacting them to get a refund for this part, I'll let you guys know how they handle it.

Stay away from this part!!! Find a ross box at a salvage yard and re-use the factory internals!

 

Wow. Interesting since we just had that long discussion here about the metal-hardening for these pins.
Obviously Omix-Ada didn't get the memo.

http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/rotating-sector-shaft-pins.117530/

 

One frustrating thing about old Jeep is the total lack of quality in the replacement parts that are available.

 

And dangerous as well... I do have one question.

In my part box I have the same part waiting to be installed - Mine came in a box labelled "Crown Automotive" It says assembled in the USA with parts from various country on the box... Is that what you received from Kaiser Willys?

 

There may be a reason why about 90% of the old Jeeps you see actually driving down the road have a Saginaw steering box up front. Just way too easy to fix it and forget about the Ross system all together.

 

Daryl makes a good point here ....

 

x2. I'd be pretty frosted over this.

 

If that was from a new car, they'd be recalling 6 million vehicles.

That is a mission-critical life safety part. They should offer you a whole new jeep!!!

 

Upon viewing that part, K-W's lawyer-on-retainer should be getting a cold chill up his spine. Has liability written all over it.
One of the first items I bought after getting my A1 was a takeoff steering box from another A1 as a backup since they don't make quality replacement parts anymore. But that's only because I wanted to keep my survivor pretty much stock. Otherwise a more modern steering system has no downside to it.

 

Sorry for the issue. Please call us toll free: 888-648-4923. You can ask for me direct Mike M. I am happy to help with this and trouble shoot the issue.

 

Nice to see some support, Mike. <thumbs up>

 

Great to see this.

 

Thanks Mike for the reply. I am worried about mine, I used a 66 V 6 steering box in mine, because the parts jeep I bought only had 27k miles on it. Then I found out that the v 6 Jeeps had a bigger Ross box on them and they don't make replacement parts for them. I still have the column shift box that came with the TP but I wanted the floor shift.

 

Mike, has your company ever investigated finding a supplier for QUALITY replacement hard parts like this?
I know I'd be willing to pay a premium for good quality parts vs. the stuff that's currently available...

 

An update: just got off the phone with Mike M from KW. They offered me my choice of a full refund, replacement part from another manufacturer, or store credit. They are also sending a UPS label my way so that I can ship the sector shaft to the manufacturer for testing. Long story short, they handled their business and I will continue to buy stuff from them.

 

now that's stepping up to the plate . so to speak

 

Mike has always treated me right. I have no issues with KW...

 

Good to know. K-W sounds like they handle things appropriately. That being said, I will still continue to steer clear of Omix parts. I usually ask the parts supplier if a part is from Omix and where it's manufactured. I am also patient and often search/wait for NOS parts to turn up, as they sometimes do.

Kudos to K-W for being good about it.

 

I am glad KW gave some options for the sector shaft. What was their comment regarding the now worn worm gear that you noted in post #1?