Thread: Steering relay - info needed please.

Originally Posted by bacicat

So, for those in the know, how tight should a steering relay be with nothing connected to it? The one I have come across is very tight and I can barely move it using the arms on it.

Is that how they are supposed to be or are there issues I need to be looking at?

Cheers - Gav.

Book says 12-16 pounds measured on the eye of the lever. And instructs you how to ensure oil gets on the surface of the bushes if it exceeds that figure!

John

Thanks - it certainly is exceeding that figure... By a lot...

Originally Posted by bacicat

Thanks - it certainly is exceeding that figure... By a lot...

Has it got any oil in it?

John

No idea...

Only just got to it. Dropped all the steering stuff to replace all the tie rod ends and went to give the relay a wiggle - nothing. I really have to lean on it to move it at all.

I'll be back there next weekend, I'll go over all that more thoroughly then.

Cheers.

Do not disassemble without following the workshop manual procedure.

Within the steering relay there are tapered bushes that are loaded with a strong spring and may cause serious injury if released in a incorrect manner.
.

I've had two now that were partly filled with rusty water rather than oil.
There is some info on rebuilding here Isuzu C240 powered Series 3

You need some way of compressing the spring to get it back together. Taking it apart is straightforward, with the endplates removed wrap it with rags and drive the shaft out (the rags catch the spring & tufnol bushes).
Post #259 here shows one that has just been driven apart Isuzu C240 powered Series 3

If there is water inside the biggest issue is pitting on the shaft where the seal runs. I've machined them down but the seal doesn't seal as tightly.

The aftermarket relays are cheap but of dubious quality.


Colin

Just going to go with oil at the moment to see if it frees up. It's been sitting for years, so I'm guessing all the oil has fallen out.

Originally Posted by bacicat

Just going to go with oil at the moment to see if it frees up. It's been sitting for years, so I'm guessing all the oil has fallen out.

Tried that with one of mine and guess what.......the oil fell straight out again !
Suggest you don't fill it right up until you know whether it will hold the oil in.

I did do a 'budget' fix on my Series I, I removed the lower seal housing and just replaced the seal 1956 Series 1 with PTO welder (home made)


Colin