Is there such a thing as a non-leaking steering box?

p m

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Apr 19, 2004
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It is a rhetorical question - I know the boxes are nice and dry in my jeep (a "76-series" Saginaw box) and one of the 95 RRCs.
The others (LR4 excluded) leak. Not a whole lot, but enough to spot the brand new garage apron.
I know that Meridian rebuilds are a dead end - even when they don't leak right away (about 50-60% of them), they are almost guaranteed to start leaking when the warranty expires. I don't know what Meridian fucks up - most likely, skipping re-boring and sleeving the worn rotating parts.
But if we're inclined to keep our junk for any extended period of time, a solution would be nice.

- Are P38A boxes of better build quality than RRC/D1/D2 boxes?

- What are any reasonable off-brand solutions? Saginaw box outside the framerail?
 

jim-00-4.6

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Sep 30, 2005
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Neither my P38 or the L322 had leaking steering boxes.
Not that there weren't other things that leaked, but the steering system was always dry.
 

logan_gibson

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Dec 20, 2016
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Alabama
My D1 box with 152k wasn't leaking.
The one I got from Will Tillery also hasn't leaked in about 20k.

I picked up another D1 from Chatt a few weeks ago, box is dry but I cant tell for sure it is the ORG.
 

p m

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My D1 box with 152k wasn't leaking.
The one I got from Will Tillery also hasn't leaked in about 20k.
Well... I have four trucks - a 96 D1 with 285kmi (on its 3rd box), a 95 LWB with 260+ kmi (on its 3rd box), a 95 SWB with 200+ kmi (on its original leaky box), and a 95 LWB with 342 kmi (with a dry box of unknown provenance). My other 96 D1's box barely started to show drops of fluid around 185 kmi.
So given that sample, I'd say you just might decide to start looking under the truck every once in a while.

I guess I was trying to find an answer to a "what is the best steering box ever" question. I had two big jeeps with Saginaw boxes that never leaked a drop - but swapping one in requires more than a bit of fabrication.
 

robertf

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Jan 22, 2006
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I guess I was trying to find an answer to a "what is the best steering box ever" question. I had two big jeeps with Saginaw boxes that never leaked a drop - but swapping one in requires more than a bit of fabrication.

I'd be much more interested in dissecting a rover box and developing a fool proof output shaft support upgrade than multi ujointed steering shafts and custom suspension links to make a saginaw box work.
 

Leadvagas

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Jun 10, 2010
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Leadville CO
My two D1’s are currently dry. The gasser is the original box I think, 225k miles. The diesel is on at least box number 3. I put in my last good spare, pulled from a ‘96 D1 I parted 3 years ago. I have though of digging up a Int. Scout II box and trying that, they are an out side the frame mounted Saginaw rated for 1/2 ton up to 3/4 ton trucks. But then it’s mix and match on pitman arm, hose ends etc, etc. And there aren’t exactly a ton of IH rigs around any more either.
 

robertf

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Jan 22, 2006
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I don't think this one would require either.


I've only looked at 76-99 jeep steering boxes. I know there are slight differences, but that one looks really close to a jeep box. The vertical distance between the input and output is much shorter and the horizontal is greater. The rover input hangs over the frame rail. You'd have to shorten drag link and track bar at the least, then play the find the right length pitman arm in the junkyard game.
 

WaltNYC

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Mar 3, 2010
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NYC
'97 w/ 155k started to seap a bit. Very slowly so re-filling is viable. I have another box ready to go.

Then I read about a product that might help the seals... Blue Devil Transmission Sealer.

I wouldn't put this product in my transmission but figured I'd give it a shot in my steering box because the downside is just a relatively simple replacement of the box.

So far (about 6 months) it has worked VERY well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0079JWMME/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you are inclined to change the box anyway, a $9 gamble is worth a shot.
 

WaltNYC

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Mar 3, 2010
707
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NYC
Blue Devil is not a gamble - it is a "reverse mortgage" on your seals. Yes it works well... until it doesn't.

HA HA! Could be. I'll find out. I have little downside and another box ready to install when it finally goes. Which is why I tried it in the first place. More a 'balloon payment' perhaps?
 

p m

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Not sure - maybe out of a habit of having a mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and front wheels. Since my desire to improve upon the factory steering box was triggered by poor seals, having a system that ultimately relies on seals and O-rings is counter-intuitive.