Steering Box leak

[supersquid]

Well this weekend I am going to rebuild my steering box on my new 1997 Disco. I just turned 170,000 miles and my steering box is starting to leak:banghead: I got a seal rebuild kit off ebay for 40 bucks and I am going to pull the box Friday night. Does any one have any helpful hits on this project and am I going to need pullers to open up the box? Thanksatriot:

 

[justinhaaga]

where is it leaking from, very common, usually culprits are hoses near the reservoir, typically a hose clamp or the hose is rotted. A $10 fix.

Or, if it leaks like the rest of us you fill it up everynow and then and forget about it. ATF fluid.

 

[supersquid]

Leak is not the correct word. I am using a bottle a week. The flued is coming from the bottum of the steering box:banghead: I am hoping replacing all the gaskets will slow the leak down Thanks

 

[BaldEagle]

did you use PS fluid with stop leak? fixed mine

 

[supersquid]

Yes and it help for about a month. How hard is it to rebuild a rover steering box??

 

[netjaws]

Yes, stop-leak! Pour three bottles of that shit in there. It'll stop, eventually, and you should be good for at least another two years, or more.

 

[SteveA]

I've never seen anyone have success rebuilding their own steering boxes. It's not difficult getting them apart, but without some special tools and some good experience, it's difficult to get the seals seated properly. There's a reason Land Rover doesn't sell the seals separately, and it's not just to make more money. Bottom line, it's not hard to rebuild the box, but it's hard to rebuild it properly. You may end up spending a day doing yours and end up with a bigger leak than what you started with.

Stephen

 

[barefoot]

if by "stop leak" you mean that light colored shit....then it will eat at your seals! avoid anything other than "red" atf!!

 

[BaldEagle]

if by "stop leak" you mean that light colored shit....then it will eat at your seals! avoid anything other than "red" atf!!

where did you come up with that? all i use is the no color stuff and thats what stopped the leak.......atf ran right through

 

[utahrover]

I've never seen anyone have success rebuilding their own steering boxes. It's not difficult getting them apart, but without some special tools and some good experience, it's difficult to get the seals seated properly. There's a reason Land Rover doesn't sell the seals separately, and it's not just to make more money. Bottom line, it's not hard to rebuild the box, but it's hard to rebuild it properly. You may end up spending a day doing yours and end up with a bigger leak than what you started with.

I agree with Stephen. I attempted a complete rebuild on mine and ended up buying a new box! Save yourself the stress, time and tools and buy a box. If you do however get it to work, let us know! I think most of us would like to hear a success story!

 

[ptschram]

I've often wondered if the steering boxes couldn't be taken ot a hydraulic rebuild shop. The principle is somewhat similar to some hydraulic assemblies.

Ain't no way I'd undertake trying to rebuild a steering box.

 

[Jake]

Just put a saginaw box in it......

 

[ptschram]

Just put a saginaw box in it......

Sweet makes a box that LOOKS like it would be a bolt-in replacement.

 

[MDDisco]

I rebuilt the box on my '98 Disco. The seal kit is available. It is not an esy rebuild and Mine started to leak again after about 9 months. That's been about a year ago and the leak is still pretty slow. I understand that the newer replacement boxes have been updated and the castings and milling are better. Of course this could be an evil rumor started by the local dealer.

Who is Sweet??

 

[ROVERMAN]

I used a LUCAS Power Steering Stop Leak bottle on my 88 Range Rover. It was leaking power steering fluid like crazy :ack: . The leak has stopped since I used it (3 weeks ago) so far so good :victory: :seeya:

 

[Reddisco1]

I used a LUCAS Power Steering Stop Leak bottle on my 88 Range Rover. It was leaking power steering fluid like crazy :ack: . The leak has stopped since I used it (3 weeks ago) so far so good :victory: :seeya:

I did the same thing, went through about 2 or 3 bottles, it kept on leaking so I went
back to ATF. Then suddenly it stopped leaking. Several weeks went by without a leak.
Then it started leaking again not as bad as before though.

Claudio

 

[Arnival]

Lucas!

 

[nferno]

I just replaced my box on the '98. I purchased a rebuilt from Meridian Auto Parts for 250 or so, CRS.

The install was not too bad. Just use a LARGE gear puller to remove the lower arm from the box. Also, when it says note the position of the steering shaft / steering wheel position there is a reason. Mark all positions and make sure that you do your best to maintain their alignment.

Finally, do a complete bleed and fill process. That will save you alot of trouble and potential damage.

It was best just to let someone else rebuild the box...Truck drives great now and my driveway is clean.

 

[supersquid]

Just got off the phone with Meridian (888-275-2525) and I am going to order my new steering box soon. Thanks nferno for helping me out. I will post pic as I pull things apart. COST for new box is 295 with the old core.

 

[super-poser]

where did you come up with that? all i use is the no color stuff and thats what stopped the leak.......atf ran right through

What is the no color stuff? My 1991 Range Rover is leaking pretty fast. Charles