Thread: Gilbert

Originally Posted by whitehillbilly64

Well making the most od Day light savings.
Stripped out the firewall.
Just sorting out a trip North to visit the Ho-Hars
To see if Harry can work his magic on it.
Lots of Zip lock bags appearing

whitehillbilly

hi if gone to far have rust free one here also chassi rails all free good quality s3 will be going to the scrapper jim all free walk on barge 4 dollors bring your trolly barrow

Hi,
Down to steering, diffs and gearbox left on chassis.
looked inside the steering box.
lots of dirty oil, but also these.
9, 3mm? ( 1/2 inch spanner open end ) loose ball bearings, in the bottom of the steering box.
Any Ideas, where they may have come from.
small enough to jamb up a few things inside !!!!!

whitehillbilly

Yep, they're out of the thrust bearings in each end of it - you'll need to open it up to find out why they have come out. They aren't hard to work on. I'll be tearing down one this arvo or tomorrow morning - I'll take some pics for you.

Ok, so I went and pulled the one to bits that I'll be rebuilding for Cams. As you can see by the pics below, the balls come out of a bearing race that is at each end of the ball nut worm on the main shaft. These are held in position by the back plate and the top tube attachment plate. The pre load is set by the shims on the bottom plate. Why they have come loose and fallen out is a bit of a mystery unless the box has been running dry for years and worn the balls down to a point where they just fall through the gap? Not really sure though.

The balls from mine measure 281 thou, so just over 7mm which is much bigger than the ones you've found. The balls up in the top race near the steering wheel would be much smaller (are they roller or needles up there?) - but how they could get into the box is beyond me - they would have to make it through the upper bearing race. I think you better crack it open and take a look. Take the side cover off - the only bit that will come loose is the recirculating ball nut guide that sits in the cover plate - you'll see - it's easy to get in and out.

20 came out of mine - 10 at each end. When you pull it apart, you'll also get the balls from the ball nut falling out - but these are bigger.

Hopefully the pics below explain it.


You can see below that once you start to withdraw the bearing race after removing the bottom plate the balls soon fall into the housing. My guess is the top ones were dry and worn and have fallen down into the housing on yours.


How it all sits together - the balls sit between the races and the groves machined into each end of the worm on the shaft. If the grove on the shaft is badly worn, you may need to find another box.

All parts are readily available and not too dear (unless you want to buy a brand new column) - Land Rover Parts - STEERING BOX

Thank Gav.
all races in tack, will all Larger balls present, and all oil covered
measured up at 3mm,
Top race is balls, maybe 7mm also..
Is there a bearing race at the top of the steering column, or bush ?
Still would be hard to get in the box, past the other bearings.
Pics were great.
Any of the column apart.
Are the 4 holed plate pics, gaskets or shims ?
Hav'nt had it fully apart yet, but is one of the bolts also a drain plug ?
Will have a look how the adjuster nut, tightens every thing up a bit.


whitehillbilly

Gearbox out.
What better than my 54 TED20 Fergy and its Jib.

whitehillbilly

Originally Posted by whitehillbilly64

Thank Gav.
all races in tack, will all Larger balls present, and all oil covered
measured up at 3mm,
Top race is balls, maybe 7mm also..
Is there a bearing race at the top of the steering column, or bush ?
Still would be hard to get in the box, past the other bearings.
Pics were great.
Any of the column apart.
Are the 4 holed plate pics, gaskets or shims ?
Hav'nt had it fully apart yet, but is one of the bolts also a drain plug ?
Will have a look how the adjuster nut, tightens every thing up a bit.


whitehillbilly

I'll be pulling the top bearing out the column today, so I'll see if that has small rollers in it - this is what I was referring too earlier. I can take some more pis if needed. I wouldn't put it back into service without taking the main cover off (with the adjuster nut in it) to make sure you have everything out of it. If there's one bit left it could jamb your steering.