Thread: Worn sector shaft

Hi, in my opinion this shaft is dead.

Again in my opinion your choices are get the shaft repaired with metal spray and reground. I am not sure how hard these things are meant to be but the repairer should be able to sort that for you.
Otherwise a new shaft may well be cheaper.
In any case I wouldnt be re using this shaft regardless of linnishing.

cheers

The above just goes to show that once your bottom seal starts to leak , it is usually caused by the shaft moving side to side.

The old ones had a babbit bearing that failed , the newer ones show failure of the rollers etc.
So , once the seal starts to leak , usually a new seal only is not the answer. Its time for a new box or rebuild.
Same for swivel seals .
Regards Philip A

It would be tempting to re-use the sector shaft but it is part of a safety-system so I would be inclined to replace it, especially if it is scored.

Don't forget that the metal swarf is now all through the steering system, so you will need to strip and clean everything, otherwise the new bearings won't last ten minutes. The pump is probably damaged as well - nothing kills hydraulic systems quicker than dirt.

Hope it goes well,

Cheers Charlie

I have found when pulling one down about 20 years ago that the sector shaft bottom area is a "dead" zone with little circulation.

Also there is a filter in the reservoir tank . I would replace the ZF reservoir tank with a new one as the ZF tanks are not servicable.

But the rest should be OK.Eg I would not be stripping the pump .
Regard sPhilip A

Hi sich nich

could you tell us how thus job turned out? I am facing the same problem, have already removed the seal an d found the seal to be full of flakes or metallic debris.

I am interested in whether you had the sector shaft repaired - if so by whom? Or if you bought a new one or did an exchange, again if so which supplier.

The few land rover specialists I have been to asking for spares for the steering box internals have acted like there are no spares available, there is only their exchange service, and they are secretive about who does the work. But whoever does the work must have a source for new parts or they refurbish the old ones.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Bye

Ps how much did the job cost? As TR at Padstow quoted me $380 for an exchange box, I am thinking that it may cost me more to buy a new shaft and anything else that I might find worn.

Look on Ebay and Coffs hbr 4x4 are selling a brand new box for $655 plus freight including a new drop arm. BUT check it is an Adwest box. Otherwise gary at CLR has them for $800 including drop arm.
Assuming it is a D1 or RRC that takes QF500110.
Also be aware that there are 2types of drop arm .
Regards Philip A

Thanks Philip,

It is a Defender 110, 1996. But I assume the steering boxes are similar. I am keen to do the job myself, but if i was to get a replacement box I would go for the cheaper option at TR spares as I am short of money for this car.

I see in one of your posts in this thread you think the rest of the box should be ok including the pump. I assumed the metal flakes would have done damage to the worm as well and the pump too.

Also my manual tells me that the sector shaft is located in 3 bushes, Nich's is obviously in needle roller bearings. Did they change or could the manual be wrong?

bye and thanks

Also my manual tells me that the sector shaft is located in 3 bushes, Nich's is obviously in needle roller bearings. Did they change or could the manual be wrong?

the bottom bearing changed from a babbit bearing to needle roillers in mid 1992 on RRC and I presume the rest. Going by the VIN numbers mine has the needle rollers.
AFAIK RRC, Disco1 and Defender are all the same box. They certainly were back in the 80s.
Regards Philip A