Thread: Steering Relay 2A Versus Series 3

Lionel,
I think they're the same from Series I to Series III apart from the filler.
It used to be a bolt in the centre of the shaft but then became one of the four bolts that hold the endcap on.


Colin

They are fully interchangeable. There were changes over time, the most notable one being the one Colin points out - early 2a had a filler on top of the shaft with a plug, and an vent plug on the side at the top. These were replaced in later ones by using the top cover bolt holes.

It is possible that early 2a ones used BSF threads, but this only means you need to use the right bolts. Far more changes were made during 2a production than during 3 production.

Dont use the one with the bolt in the shaft. The shaft is hollow and can break. I know because one snapped on me once.

Originally Posted by 123rover50

Dont use the one with the bolt in the shaft. The shaft is hollow and can break. I know because one snapped on me once.

Hi Keith
Just out of curiosity, were you running standard 6.00/7.00 size tyres ?
.W.

Originally Posted by B.S.F.

Hi Keith
Just out of curiosity, were you running standard 6.00/7.00 size tyres ?
.W.

No Wally you are pretty safe.
It was in the Forward Control with 900 x 16 tyres.
When I got it going in Bougainville back in the 70,s., the relay was stuffed and the only spare I had was from a Series one so I used it then forgot about it.
It broke during weed spraying on the Sunshine Coast in the 80,s. Luckly it was greased up and did not take long to whack another in. A solid shaft this time.
Still, I would not use one out of choice in an everyday drive.

Possibly more strain on it in a Forward Control, haven't heard of a problem in Series I's.

More importantly, beware of 'aftermarket' relays despite sellers comments like "OEM supplier", "OEM quality", "OEM manufacturer". They are typically made in India and the supplier is not the original supplier to Land Rover !
If possible repair an original.


Colin

Originally Posted by gromit

Possibly more strain on it in a Forward Control, haven't heard of a problem in Series I's.

More importantly, beware of 'aftermarket' relays despite sellers comments like "OEM supplier", "OEM quality", "OEM manufacturer". They are typically made in India and the supplier is not the original supplier to Land Rover !
If possible repair an original.


Colin

Hello Colin,

Thank you for the hint about "after-market" relays. I am lucky enough to have some relays in some "spares" chassis. One is even sitting on the back of a trailer at a very convenient height. The spare relays are all Series 3 - which is why I started the thread. Best check before proceeding and making avoidable mistakes.

Getting the relay out of the ambulance could be the real challenge though.

Perhaps the extra weight of the ambulance body could have contributed to the relay ceasing. Oh - apart from the obvious lack of maintenance that the vehicle had beforehand.

Kind regards
Lionel

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Thank you for the hint about "after-market" relays.

Lionel,
I think they seize because nobody ever checks them so the oil falls out and the water gets in.
I've found them with grease nipples fitted. Grease doesn't really work well in them because it's easily displaced, semi-liquid might be OK though......

Every one I've removed had water in it so replace the seals but make sure you get the seals from a bearing supplier not a LR parts supplier !
Check the oil level on a regular basis and probably worth draining & re-filling occasionally to make sure no water has found it's way in. Not so important if it's a garaged trailer queen........

I have a couple overhauled & ready to install, all the internal parts are available so if the shaft & body are OK the rest is straightforward.



Colin


Colin