Disco I steering box leaks

**Gina** · 26th August 2013, 09:08 PM

I have a leak from my steering box.

A few things along the way. I cleaned up the pump and replaced the hose clamps on both ends of the inlet. the pump inlet hose is getting hard and i will have to replace it at some point. While i was fiddling under I spied rust and what looks like corrosion on the welsh plug on the port side of the motor.

I will clean that up and treat with preservative. Dosn't look to hard to get to if it needs replacement.

any way none of this fixed the leak which after a lot of cleaning up is apparently coming from the steering box.

First pic the end of the hose on the pump showing mild weeping and very hardened hose.

Second pic socket spanner on hose clamp. Very hard to get to and exact length extension essential.

Third Pic . The steering box from below. The fluid appears to be dripping from the very bottom bolt. I am guessing at this stage it is coming from the lower oil seal.

My questions. can I replace it in situ??? Looks like I only have to remove arms and pull out old seal and pop in a new one.

Should I purchase a second hand unit overhaul it and replace the existing one. It looks like a Full days work to get the old one out and a new one in and then I have to figure out how to bleed it.

**Kevin B** · 27th August 2013, 12:54 AM

Hi Gina,

Check out this thread, took me a couple of hours and 30 buck, I did it without removing the box

Repairing a Leaking Steering Box

Kevin

**Spel1** · 27th August 2013, 06:21 AM

You can do a much more thorough job if you have the option to prepare another unit in advance, less down time for the vehicle too. I much prefer to work on a bench than upside down. Changeover isn't all that difficult. Do the hoses at the same time. For the non pressure lines go to a hydraulic shop like Enzed - their hoses will last a lot longer and you can buy what you need.

**Gina** · 28th August 2013, 06:43 PM

Fabulous Kev

**manchild21000** · 29th August 2013, 03:14 PM

Seal kit cost $16.50. I did in situ and under an hour .
George

**inside** · 29th August 2013, 04:08 PM

Isn't the leaking a symptom and not the cause? While you can fit new seals I was under the impression that they will leak again.

**manchild21000** · 29th August 2013, 04:17 PM

Yes Inside , it leaked again after 1 month when i did it on the defender due to the worn shaft , however the disco was still strong after 2 years when i sold it .
cheers

**Gina** · 11th September 2013, 12:05 PM

Ok I am giving it a go .

Not for the faint hearted I think.

The socket for the big nut on the bottom is 7/8 BS ( don't know what that is in metric. )
I used a ring spanner. I had a four foot long piece of pipe over the end and with a lot of effort cracked the nut. Its is very very tight.

Now I have a three jaw puller on the pitman arm and have it done up tight and hit the pitman arm on either side simultaneously with a hammer and it doesn't budge. it too is very very tight.

I suspect a leak on the input shaft as well. Which I might also try in situ ...but feeling a change over might have been the go except they are very expensive.

**Gina** · 11th September 2013, 12:30 PM

Ok so I am not going to get this baby off without a pitman arm puller. I am looking at a Stanley version from supercheap .

My standard gear pullers didn't have a chance. The proper version is used with a rattle gun. So more to come .

The hilarious consequences of trying it with my HIT gear-puller below

**isuzurover** · 11th September 2013, 12:42 PM

Did you check for shaft play before starting (up-down and side-side)???

In MOST cases IME the leaking seal is a symptom of a worn box and a new or reco unit is needed.

Thread: Disco I steering box leaks

Thread Tools

Disco I steering box leaks

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions