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Omix Ada steering failure...

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by durangotang, Dec 6, 2015.

  1. Dec 6, 2015
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    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:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    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!
     
  2. Dec 7, 2015
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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  3. Dec 7, 2015
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    crap :(

    I've never seen anything like that, obviously there was a major failure in quality control somewheres along the line.

    I'd be going after K-W for a new shaft as well.

    H.
     
  4. Dec 7, 2015
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    One frustrating thing about old Jeep is the total lack of quality in the replacement parts that are available.
     
    dane71 likes this.
  5. Dec 7, 2015
    PierreDnepr

    PierreDnepr Member

    Barrie Ontario
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    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?
     
  6. Dec 7, 2015
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    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.
     
    Dandy likes this.
  7. Dec 7, 2015
    Dandy

    Dandy Member 2024 Sponsor

    Estherville IA
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    Daryl makes a good point here ....
     
  8. Dec 7, 2015
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    x2. I'd be pretty frosted over this.
     
  9. Dec 7, 2015
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    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!!!
     
    dane71 likes this.
  10. Dec 7, 2015
    gunner

    gunner Member

    Washington state...
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    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.
     
  11. Dec 8, 2015
    Mike@KaiserWillys.com

    Mike@KaiserWillys.com New Member

    Aiken, SC
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    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.
     
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  12. Dec 8, 2015
    Dandy

    Dandy Member 2024 Sponsor

    Estherville IA
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    Nice to see some support, Mike. <thumbs up>
     
  13. Dec 8, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Great to see this.
     
  14. Dec 9, 2015
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    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.
     
  15. Dec 9, 2015
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    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...
     
  16. Dec 9, 2015
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

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    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.
     
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  17. Dec 9, 2015
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    now that's stepping up to the plate . so to speak
     
    cookieman likes this.
  18. Dec 9, 2015
    eti engineer

    eti engineer Member

    Great Central...
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    Mike has always treated me right. I have no issues with KW...
     
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  19. Dec 9, 2015
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    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.
     
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  20. Dec 9, 2015
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
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    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?
     
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