Power Steering Box

[DougLD]

Hi All
Power steering box is leaking in the rangie now I have read that you can just replace the seal in the bottom bit of the box(pardon my lack of the technical terms) without stripping the steering box right down. Has anyone on our forum done this and was it successful. I really do not want to spend $1000 + fitting for a new one or $600+ to have this one repaired.
Regards
Doug

[sniegy]

Hi Doug,
Hope things are well.
Yes it has been done a few times with success. Remove pitmarn arm, drop out shaft replace seal & refit.
Did this to my early D1 & never had another problem.
You can actually buy a kit.

[langy]

A couple of things to note:
-You are going to need a decent two arm gear puller to pull the pitman arm off. If it sticks, treat it like a tie rod end, hit with a hammer on the side ( DO NOT HIT THE SHAFT - I speak with experience on that point)

- To get the old seal out, you may have to drill a small hole in it and insert a self tapping screw so you can get some purchase on the seal to pull it out ( A dent puller would be usefull if you get the idea)

- There is going to be ATF everywhere when you remove the seal. I took advantage of this, put a pan underneath and cranked the engine over without starting it. This pumped the old fluid out via the box, in effect flushing any metal shavings out.

- And, on that point, inspect the shaft where the seal and the spacer go. Sometimes metal debris and dirt accumulate at the bottom of the box and cause the shaft to loose it's smooth surface. This grinds the seal down, and shortens the life of the seal. If yours is like this, a new seal will work, but the seal will only last a few years.

- Otherwise a straight forward operation. A set of circlip pliers is recommended as well.

[PhilipA]

BUt, the major reason other than old age that the seals leak is that he lower bearing on the sector shaft wears and allows sideways movement of the shaft. This is on pre 92 cars with a shell type bearing.
This overpowers the seal.
The long term fix is to replace the bearing. This needs a parallel ream ( in most cases) so is a workshop job, but I did it many years ago and with 8 hours of reaming with a brake cylinder dressing stone.
It never leaked again.
Regards Philip A

[BigJon]

8 hours of reaming with a brake cylinder dressing stone.

You must have had too much spare time and/or be the worlds most patient man!!

[DEFENDERZOOK]

A couple of things to note:
-You are going to need a decent two arm gear puller to pull the pitman arm off. If it sticks, treat it like a tie rod end, hit with a hammer on the side ( DO NOT HIT THE SHAFT - I speak with experience on that point)

leave the big nut on the shaft when you this......loosen it but leave it on.....
there is lots of strain on the puller.....and when the arm lets go.....it does so with a bang....
and you will not be able to catch it with your face........it will go straight through to the back of your head........

leaving the nut on to prevent it flying off.....but watch out for the puller.....that will also attack you.......

[DougLD]

Hi All
Thanks for all the replies I have ordered the seal Kit from Karcraft around $xxxx + postage I'll give it a go and see if the seals only reduce the fluid loss to acceptable level if not I'll have to recondition the box. I'll let you all know how it goes.
Regards
Doug

[DougLD]

Hi All
Just a quick update I ordered the kit from Karcraft at around 4PM yesterday it arrived in todays mail total cost including postage $xxxx
good one Aust Post & karcraft.
Doug

[DougLD]

Hi All
Did the job this morning took about 3 hours fairly easy bought a new wheel puller and circlip pliers the pitman arm just fell off did not need the puller. The tip for removing the seals with a self tapping screw was great thanks Langy. I will see how long it lasts but better than a new one $1000 plus fitting or recond at $500. Thanks for the advice everyone
Regards
Doug

[maggsie]

Sorry this is not an attempted hijack, a question while discussing power steering boxes, are the 3 bolt and/or 4 bolt types interchangeable between models - defender, rangie or disco. My County 3 bolt needs work so I'm chasing the later 4 bolt.

Maggsie