Thread: 2a GS Refurb ARN 178-334

Found another Series IIa steering assembly.
Remembered that it came with a Series IIa bulkhead I purchased years ago, it was still attached and the chap that sold it to me mentioned trying to get it off & running out of time.
Turned OK without any odd noises.

The aluminium body of the box itself was very clean. When I opened it up the oil was fairly clean, there was still grease where the balls for the bearings were held in place and the O-ring was still soft. May have been reconditioned at some point in it's life....

DSCN4895 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Anyway, I replaced the O-ring and fitted a new gasket. A couple of bolts are missing which I'll have to replace then it's time to clean & paint.

DSCN4897 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

I'll see if I can get some parts to overhaul the original so that I have a spare.



Colin

Hello Colin & Rod,

Gee ruining a steering box just because a washer was pulled out instead of picking out an "O" Ring seems very drastic to me!

I intend working on mine this coming weekend and they reckon fore-warned is fore-armed!

Could either of you post up a photograph of where the washer and "O" ring is located on/in the steering assembly?

What would the part number and parts manual section be to look the parts up?

Kind regards

Lionel

Found this picture on the interweb.....


Parts books list the retaining washer which is 'staked' in-place. I thought the first time round that I had to replace the washer but all you have to do is pick out the old O-ring.

All the usual suspects would keep the O-ring, if yours comes out intact you could take it to an O-ring supplier and they will match it.


Colin

Hello Colin,

Thank you for taking the time to find a photo of where the "O" washer is staked. Could you please put a red arrow pointing to the same part on your earlier photograph of two steering columns? Thank you.

My rough approximation makes the flange looking similar to the bolted plate located on top of the steering box's main assembly. It then transitions into the steer column rod that travels up to link to the steering wheel. Is this correct? Or am I wide of the mark?

There is no hurry though - it is going to be 5 degrees C tonight so I am not going to go out to the paddock and check things out very soon. Brrrr I have been living too long in Queensland for that caper. I moved from a cold part of NSW for a reason. I did write "cold" somewhere here didn't I? :0)

Kind regards
Lionel

Lionel,
The O-ring is the seal for the output shaft from the steering box.

Colin

Managed to get some shims today (from someone who used to wreck Land Rovers) and some digging around seriously makes me wonder about the steering box overhaul kits you can buy.
I haven't checked the 'notchy' one yet but if grooves wear in the bearing cups the inner column should also get damaged (unless the hardness is different to the bearing cups).

Found the picture below on the Interweb



If the bearing surfaces on the inner column are damaged then there is no point fitting new ball bearings & outer race.

Parts are expensive at about $600 for the inner column and $1200 for a complete steering box & column......cheaper to buy a 'spares car'.
Land Rover Parts - STEERING BOX

At least I have one that's OK for now, I'll investigate the notchy one and see if it can be fixed.


Colin

Spare steering assembly painted and ready to fit so I thought I'd strip the notchy one.

Came apart easily but may be a bit more difficult to get back together....
DSCN4903 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

As expected the main shaft & bearing cups were damaged. No point in fitting an 'overhaul kit' unless something can be done with the shaft.
DSCN4907 by Colin Radley, on Flickr
DSCN4906 by Colin Radley, on Flickr
DSCN4902 by Colin Radley, on Flickr


Lucky I had a spare....!

Yea, I've found you need at least 3 hands reassembling them.

Lucky you had a spare, that one is one is pretty bad. The 2 I've done were both in good condition thankfully.