Thread: Worn sector shaft

I wonder if a modification could be made to the four bolt box, to improve the flow of the lubrication to the bottom bearing.

IMHO the basic cause of the failures in LR steering boxes is the high ratio putting sideways pressure on the sector shaft.

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

Originally Posted by rick130

I wonder if part of the issue is no one ever bothers to replace their PS fluid ?

I've done it a couple of times, but it's a PITA.

I'm also wondering if we'd all be better of using a UTTO, hydraulic fluid or even a GL4 rated low viscosity transmission oil rather than ATF.

Apparently hydraulic fluids have considerably higher anti-wear additive levels than any ATF, something I wasn't aware of until recently.

Hi Rick130

Whilst I do take the view that oil changes are cheaper than parts, changing the oil doesn't help a lot with these bottom bearings, as the dirty oil remains trapped and doesn't get flushed out.

At the risk of getting away from the theme of this thread, using a universal tractor transmission oil, would be a sensible thing to do where a operator needs to simplify their inventory of lubricants.
Universal Tractor Transmission Oil (UTTO) Additives - Driveline Lubricant Additives - The Lubrizol Corporation

Cheers Arthur
Back to the lawn mower!!!