Thread: Adwest 3 bolt steering box leak

IMHO the real problem is not the seal but play in the bottom bearing of the sector shaft.
The bearing is like an engine bearing but has a split and when worn lets high pressure fluid past it.
This happens especially when cold .
When I lived in Riyadh, there were 4 Range Rovers next to each other and every morning there would be 4 oil trails down the road.
The bearing has to be reamed to sector shaft size with a parallel reamer. I did it in many hours with a brake hone and the new seal never leaked again.
Maybe there are other remedies these days but I think not.
Regards PhilipA
After 91? the sector shaft bearing was changed to a roller bearing.

Not exactly what I was hoping to hear !

I was thinking it would not matter because the high pressure inside would force the seal outwards against the inside surface of the rubber encased washer and hey presto the seal seals !
Too simple to hope for I suppose .
cheers
Hitch

No the problem is that the sector shaft can move sideways when the bearing is worn so one side of the seal is compressed and the other not.
That's my theory anyway. And about 40 to 20 years ago this was the accepted explanation. And it fixed my leak.
That was on an 81RRC . To prevent on my later 91 I bought a new box as Adwest had a special at $700!!!!
Regards PhilipA
After 91? the sector shaft bearing was changed to a roller bearing.

Originally Posted by PhilipA

No the problem is that the sector shaft can move sideways when the bearing is worn so one side of the seal is compressed and the other not.
That's my theory anyway. And about 40 to 20 years ago this was the accepted explanation. And it fixed my leak.
That was on an 81RRC . To prevent on my later 91 I bought a new box as Adwest had a special at $700!!!!
Regards PhilipA
After 91? the sector shaft bearing was changed to a roller bearing.

I can remember Dougal from NZ solving this problem by using a bronze bush that was possibly off the shelf.

It'd be a big search to find the post.

edit............ Craddocks in the UK sell the bush............. I assume it's for a 3 bolt.

DL

Is this it?


Wiggly 3 Bolt Steering Box Fix.

Originally Posted by shack

Is this it?


Wiggly 3 Bolt Steering Box Fix.

That's the one, well done!

There may be a later thread where he has the sector shaft bearing surface reground and gets bushes reamed to suit............again not expensive.

This fine vid is a reco'd 4 bolt with a different problem, but the shaft has been reground in the past:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXQIsfBBhkk

The WSM I have shows two of these bronze bushes on the sector shaft in the bottom of the box, 3 & 4 bolt the same.

A new 3 bolt box is $3.5k in the US.

cheers, David L

Yes, AFAIR (from 40 years ago) you do not have to do the first steps to get the sector shaft out. AFAIR just take of the top cover and drive it out. Once it is out you drive the bush/bearing out from the top.
The tedious task is sizing the bush to the sector shaft.
I was in Riyadh so couldn't find parallel reams so used a brake hone for about 6hours or so, stopping to test the fit at intervals.
Parallel reams are not really that common so good luck. if not brake cylinder hones are more easily available, but a PITA But are probably necessary for a good finish after reaming.
Regards PhilipA