Thread: 2a GS Refurb ARN 178-334

Originally Posted by JDNSW

I suspect that the damage to that box is corrosion, the result of running it with water instead of oil as the lubricant, or just possibly, the result of running it dry.

In sixty years of driving Series Landrovers I have yet to encounter anything like that, possibly because none of the ones I have driven have been left standing for long periods.

John,

Seems odd that the pitting is only on the bearing surfaces, no signs of rust anywhere.
There were still signs of the grease used during re-assembly and the oil had run out past the O-ring but there was still some left and no signs of water.

Ex military and almost as it left service so probably last overhauled by the Army.

Because it has the horn push in the centre I did wonder if the horn had been earthing through the bearings. Either through a dirty slip-ring or the wire disconnected interestingly there is a modern connector on the wire to the slip-ring.
Ball bearings are unmarked but I haven't checked for roundness.
If earthing then the bearing at the top of the column would also be damaged.

Could also be way too much pre-load when it was overhauled.

Anyway, need to look for another steering assembly. My theory is that if you have a spare that part will never fail on the vehicle.



Colin

Yes, if there is no sign of corrosion, you would have to think of other causes, and probably the most likely is, as you suggest, excess preload.

Found another steering column from a wreck, standing outside for years but all OK except one bearing cup pitted.

Assembling the main nut, ball bearings held in place with grease. Also the top race assembled with it's ball bearings.
DSCN4937 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Shaft assembled through main nut, cup in top recess and column sealed & bolted in place.
DSCN4939 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Lower cup with ball bearings held in place with grease pressed into position and using endplate & a variety of shims endfloat set. This is trial & error, bolting the endplate on then checking for play, removing and trying again juggling with shims.
DSCN4940 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Finally rocker shaft assembled and ready for a new gasket and the sideplate to be fitted. Roller for main nut not fitted in this picture (but was before the endplate was fitted !)
DSCN4941 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

I used Permatex No1 rather than the thin gaskets at each end.
Now filled with EP75W90 GL4.

This is a spare but when I get a moment I'll paint it. That way in years to come I might remember it's been overhauled.......


Colin

Picked up a set of 7.50 X 16 Road Grippers last night, had to pop down to Phillip Island to collect.
Troopy ‘take offs’ complete with split rims, new but have sat in a garage for 2-3 years.

I’d like to put a set of bar treads on this one but the cost put me off. Might consider it in the future.

So I’ll take the Road Grippers & my LR rims to the tyre guy I use. Then try & sell the Troopy rims & tubes which aren’t worth much unfortunately.

Colin

Ive got those road grippers on my perentie Colin. They seem to be ok. Do those tubes have a long brass valve on them? Its possible to cut them out and have tr15 valves glued on. Tho i think it could be a weak spot. I tried to mount them on tubeless onto a d1 rim but it went down coz they're designed to be tubed. Good luck with them. They are getting expensive to buy now coz ppl know us landy nuts want them. Cant get them locally for less than $150 a rim n tyre. Just a bit too much i think.

Cheers Rod

Originally Posted by 67hardtop

Ive got those road grippers on my perentie Colin. They seem to be ok. Do those tubes have a long brass valve on them? Its possible to cut them out and have tr15 valves glued on. Tho i think it could be a weak spot. I tried to mount them on tubeless onto a d1 rim but it went down coz they're designed to be tubed. Good luck with them. They are getting expensive to buy now coz ppl know us landy nuts want them. Cant get them locally for less than $150 a rim n tyre. Just a bit too much i think.

Cheers Rod

Rod,
The valve stems are angled and quite long. New tubes are $25 and I only paid $300 for the 5 tyres !
The last ones I found were about $175 each but were brand new
I already have 3 Land Rovers with Road Grippers fitted. I understand the Troopys don’t have them fitted any longer so the supply will slowly dry up.....

Colin

Yeah Colin i paid $700 for 5 tyres and one rim. They hsd been roaded except for the spare which was still on the rim. I got ripped off but they were the cheapest available at the time. Heard of ppl buying sets of 5 for $100. Wish i could have. But this is Adelaide and theres not as much stuff around as bigger cities. Supply is definatly low here.

Cheers Rod

There used to be heaps of 2nd hand 205r16 tyres around when hiluxes et al had them from new. They were a great size for a SWB landy, equivalent to 6.5r16. Sadly, they are longer around on gumtree etc as the new utes have gone to bigger tyres from the factory.