The steering box.... Well, I'm glad I decided to strip it, the o-ring on the rocker shaft was good and dry/brittle. It split after a quite gentle prod with a screwdriver.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/961.jpg
The rocker shaft had corroded slightly, and you can see where it has abraded the o-ring just by me turning it back and forth a couple of times whilst trying to gauge the notchiness of the top bearing due to its dried out grease.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/962.jpg
Spent quite some time frigging about trying to get the ball's in the upper bearing to stay put while assembling everything, only to work out I forgot to thread the ball nut on. ****.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/963.jpg
Round 2, Fight! All together now:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/964.jpg
And finally a serviceable steering box!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/965.jpg
Another job what needed doing was sorting out the leaking transfer box. The leak appeared to be coming from the shim pack, probably due to the aggressive media blasting by [well know transmission company].
Output housing and shim pack removed:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/966.jpg
I put a very very light smear of silicone sealant on the transfer box casing, and some spray Hylomar on the shims. Hopefully this won't add enough thickness to affect the preload on the transfer box bearings.
All back together again:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/967.jpg
Spent an unreasonable amount of time threading the speedo cable through to the dash. The book shows it running over the top of the fuel pump, but I've ended up running it underneath. No doubt I will find out if that is a bad idea in the future!
Aside from that, the car is starting to look a bit.......... dashing.....
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/968.jpg
(Dog looking bored as always...)
The under side piece of the dash came up quite nice after a serious amount of sanding.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/969.jpg
I don't know if I can live with the zinc coloured screws in the dash top... will probably paint them black. I'm also starting to hit the wall on a few jobs because misc parts are still at the platers, and I really can't mount the firewall properly until the tub and doors are on. Although the bonnet, roof and sides need a bit more sanding.... yay.
Cheers,

