IMHO the basic cause of the failures in LR steering boxes is the high ratio putting sideways pressure on the sector shaft.Quote:
I wonder if a modification could be made to the four bolt box, to improve the flow of the lubrication to the bottom bearing.
Most failures of the box in the plain bearing boxes were from the plain bearing wearing, then this opening up the clearance between the shaft and bearing leading to increased oil pressure reaching the seals when cold.
This increased pressure overpowers the seals when cold. I told the story some time ago that when I was in Riyadh on cold winter mornings at -5c or so there would be 5 oil tracks out the driveways of my house and my neighbors who all had RRCs.
I think essentially the same is happening with the roller bearing boxes, in that the sideways movement of the shaft is the start of the seals failing.
I can only theorise that the failures may be further exacerbated by the much wider tyres that are often fitted to Land Rovers these days. I have 245 width vs the original 205 width.
BTW mine started to leak after a period of steering rattle which I traced down to the swivel ball being loose on the end of the axle. Maybe that was the last straw for an old roller bearing.
That is why I am planning to fit a new box rather than replace seals as I think that failed seals are just a symptom of stuffed shaft.
Regards Philip A
