Rover 3 Bolt Steering Box

**drover81** · 26th November 2018, 01:52 PM

I've read a few of you have rebuilt a steering box before, and with the three bolt box, there's bushes that 'should' be replaced (I'm lead to believe that the gap between these and the sector shaft can be the root cause of the leaks, so a seal kit is only a temporary fix at best).

It looks like there are 3 bushes (correct me if I'm wrong), and that replacement requires effectively the whole box to be stripped.

So - before I rush off and do this, is there any way to tell this is the issue before doing the full strip/rebuild?

**PhilipA** · 26th November 2018, 02:42 PM

AFAIR there is only one bush that needs to be replaced. That is on the output shaft. It sits between a large surface on the output shaft and the body of the steering box. From memory it is about 30MM long x about 20MM in diameter.
This assumes the box is leaking from the output shaft.
The bearing is a babbit bearing, which has to be sized to fit the output shaft, by sizing with a parallel hone or cutter.

I did one many years ago in Saudi by honing for many hours with a brake cylinder hone.

If you just replace the seal , the seal usually will not last long as the clearance from the worn bush will place too high a pressure on the seal when cold. This will leave a nice oil line for about 100 metres every morning.

Regards Philip A

**drover81** · 26th November 2018, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by PhilipA

AFAIR there is only one bush that needs to be replaced. That is on the output shaft. It sits between a large surface on the output shaft and the body of the steering box. From memory it is about 30MM long x about 20MM in diameter.
This assumes the box is leaking from the output shaft.
The bearing is a babbit bearing, which has to be sized to fit the output shaft, by sizing with a parallel hone or cutter.

I did one many years ago in Saudi by honing for many hours with a brake cylinder hone.

If you just replace the seal , the seal usually will not last long as the clearance from the worn bush will place too high a pressure on the seal when cold. This will leave a nice oil line for about 100 metres every morning.

Regards Philip A

So, this is the part I'm looking at AEU1897 - Bush for Selector Shaft Power Steering Box Range Rover
It seems to match what you're talking about minus the honing etc.

Is honing normally required?

**drover81** · 26th November 2018, 05:53 PM

I just researched what a Babbitt bearing is and I think I've found my answer (all Babbitt bearings need refining after pouring/casting)...

**350RRC** · 26th November 2018, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by drover81

I just researched what a Babbitt bearing is and I think I've found my answer (all Babbitt bearings need refining after pouring/casting)...

Keep searching on this site.

Dougal (user name) had a solution for this prob.

DL

**PhilipA** · 26th November 2018, 08:24 PM

have a look at ebay
Range Rover Power Steering Box Seal Kit + Sector Shaft Bushes to 1985 3 Bolt Cap | eBay
There are three bushes shown but I think only the bottom one usually wears because of the leverage of the pitman arm..
You may be lucky and it doesn't need honing, but mine did.
You will see that the bush is split and has a backing and white metal inner.

Regards Philip A

**loanrangie** · 26th November 2018, 08:26 PM

I rebushed a 3 bolt box years ago including the bush in the lid , bugger of a job but didn't leak afterwards so was a success.

**350RRC** · 27th November 2018, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by PhilipA

have a look at ebay
Range Rover Power Steering Box Seal Kit + Sector Shaft Bushes to 1985 3 Bolt Cap | eBay
There are three bushes shown but I think only the bottom one usually wears because of the leverage of the pitman arm..
You may be lucky and it doesn't need honing, but mine did.
You will see that the bush is split and has a backing and white metal inner.

Regards Philip A

Good price for all that. Corteco as well!

DL

**drover81** · 27th November 2018, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by 350RRC

Keep searching on this site.

Dougal (user name) had a solution for this prob.

DL

Found the post - he used DU Bearings.

I'll try that first and then revert back to the 'traditional' way if it keeps leaking.

N

**350RRC** · 30th November 2018, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by drover81

Found the post - he used DU Bearings.

I'll try that first and then revert back to the 'traditional' way if it keeps leaking.

N

If it was me I'd be buying the kit that Philip A posted the link to............. everything you'd need is there, all the gaskets are corteco (the best) and its only 100 odd bucks. Has the three bushes as well.

I didn't know you could get the whole lot for that price, that's why I suggested Dougal's remedy. I reckon he'd be buying the kit too if he'd known.

cheers, DL

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