There have been numerous discussions about this.
If you used the search bar at the top of the page, you would find all these threads that talk about it

Rebuilding or Replacing the power steering gear box

 

Sorry Chris…I did a search for just gear box & only came up with leaking boxes. Thanks so much for the link!!

 

Hey gang...searched the site and didn't find any previous chatter on this issue. Took the jeep for a front end alignment after getting it put back together and rewired. I wanted to get things aligned before buying new tires. The alignment shop said that the gearbox is really wearing out and is pretty wobbly until you get about 45 - 50 mph...(I could have told him that<G>). I've seen threads for leak issues, but nothing about rebuilding versus just buying a rebuilt box. Any suggestions? Brands? Go to place for parts / rebuilds? Appreciate the insights...btw...my '82 has power steering.

Marshall

So many questions about this alignment shop. Do you trust him?
Does he mean the differential? I can see the pinion bearing wearing out and getting sloppy.
Not sure what else he is looking at if he is just doing an alignment.
I mean it could be ball joints, spindle bearings, broken cord in tire.

I cant figure out why he is looking at the transmission. Did he test drive it?
A CJ transmission get 'sloppy' but wouldn't cause it to wobble.

 

Wasn’t the tranny…the steering gearbox…

 

If it were me I would reach out to the folks at Powersteering.com.

I can't give them enough praise for the excellent rebuild quality of my power steering pump earlier this year. Mine was due to leakage, but it's worth calling to ask about your problem. In my experience, they were very honest. In fact, I spoke to Mike over there who recommended I do not make ratio changes to my gearbox because he felt the driveability would suffer - although this meant he would make less money on the repair. In short, I'd trust they will shoot you straight.