88 YJ-CJ Power Steering Gearbox and Serpentine Drive

I got back onto the 88 YJ-CJ this weekend 😃.  My trusty sidekick had the weekend off, so I was working solo.  He earned it after all the help with the TJ engine swap.   

After I cleaned up all the TJ engine parts on Friday night, I found the lonely YJ steering box sitting in a container.  I need the power steering gear box to start the engine since it attaches to the power steering pump.  So it's pretty high on the priority list. 

So Saturday, I dug into the steering box. I started organized:

Disassembly...always the easy part:

Rebuild Kit:

The Rebuild Kit "Instructions" - seriously worthless. I relied on a few Youtube videos that were mostly helpful. And also on my 95 YJ factory service manual that has an entire section on the steering box.

Going back together. As a side note, I did NOT replace the internal teflon seals. I tried that once before (years ago) and failed miserably. My goal was to replace the external seals and to make sure the inside was clean. It was pretty clean inside - I didn't see anything that would give me concern.

Mostly together - still some work to be done. There aren't that many parts, but there are a couple of finer details that are not well-documented anywhere.

On Sunday, I started finishing up the front of the engine. Basically, I'm trying to knock stuff off the list, so I can start the engine. (I need the steering box since it attaches to the power steering pump, of course).

Passenger Side bracket, alternator and power steering pump installed:

I bought the serpentine belt drive from a local guy. He evidently didn't have a puller. No big deal - new power steering pulley installed:

I replaced the power steering pump with a new one because I was afraid he had damaged the pump with his shenanigans.

Driver's Bracket installed. All these parts were test fit earlier, and they went into place very nicely.

AC Delete Pulley:

Belt going on:

I got lucky, and the belt that the seller gave me fit fine.  It was very nice to have a "bolt-on" task for a change!  I need more of this in my life!

Last part of the equation...checking the power steering hoses. I'm hoping to use the Chevy hoses off of the old power steering pump. That will come soon - after the power steering box is finished.