| Author | Message | ||
     Chris Brennan (Cdmbrennan) Member Username: Cdmbrennan Post Number: 66 Registered: 01-2003 |
Alright. Dealer says steering box has to be replaced at a cost of $ 875 USD. (500 for part and 375 for labor). Haynes recommends that any installation of the Steering Box should be done by a qualified Land Rover mechanic. Anyone replaced their steering box willing to attest to whether this is the case? I'm fairly handy under the hood but would like someone's opinion one way or another. IF the dealer ends up doing the work, is this an opportunity to add any "goodies", i.e. new gearing, new steering dampener, anything? Thank you all, Chris B | ||
| p (Pfb) New Member Username: Pfb Post Number: 10 Registered: 08-2003 |
I've haven't done it, but it looks like a relatively easy (although somewhat messy) job. The factory service manual outlines it in detail in about 3 pages. You could probably talk me into scanning and sending you the three pages if you are really going to do it yourself. Also seems to be some sources for rebuilt or new boxes at a price significantly lower than dealer prices. Why does the dealer want to replace it? Leaks? My understanding is that it is relatively futile to replace it due to leaks, as the new one will just leak again in a year or so... | ||
| Greg Hirst (Gregh) Senior Member Username: Gregh Post Number: 286 Registered: 10-2002 |
It's not really difficult (unless you are Rob D and give your bolts a daily spritzing of salt water and red loctite  ) and I prefer the Meridian-rebuilt box to original. Meridian is about $300 inc. shipping (+ refundable core). As for other mods you could also change over to a better/heavier track and cross rod and relocate damper at this time if you were so inclined. | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 823 Registered: 02-2003 |
i even blew thru a meridian box greg, that was three boxes in a year the joy is i can now bang thru the job in about 3 hours. since i am replaceing them so often they dont get a chance to bind up as much.. hehe, that and i never put the tools away rd | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 824 Registered: 02-2003 |
chris, you into clay/concrete roof tiles? that outfit in ohio, Ludowic?? i've been trying to contact someone there for years with no luck. email me i'll send you over the scans of the installation and link to pictures of step by step of my installation. i'd also like to talk shop with you about the rooftiles. rob davison [email protected] | ||
| Chris Brennan (Cdmbrennan) Member Username: Cdmbrennan Post Number: 67 Registered: 01-2003 |
Rob, you'll have email in abit. Greg, PFB and Rob - thanks all for the helpful info. I'm going to check into the Meridian and see. Autozone has a few of the tools necessary on a rental basis, as well, so that saves some cost. INFO MUCH APPRECIATED!! | ||
| Greg Hirst (Gregh) Senior Member Username: Gregh Post Number: 289 Registered: 10-2002 |
Rob-3 times in one year? Maybe its the 22x12 extreme negative offset Dubs with 395/35/22 tires??? | ||
| Frode Hübertz Haaland (Discofrode) Member Username: Discofrode Post Number: 125 Registered: 02-2002 |
Check out last Land Rover Enthusiast or Land Rover Owner International last month - can't remember which - nevertheless: They walked the reader through the process on a Defender in a pictorial. Didn't look too bad at all. | ||
| Joe Still (Joedisco) Member Username: Joedisco Post Number: 99 Registered: 09-2002 |
It's not tough. Took me 6 hrs to put in a used box only to find the hose fitting was cross threaded. Second time was 3 hrs or so. Clean area first- seriously clean. Toughest item is having steering wheel centered when thru. Email and I'll tell you bout that. Manual says pull steering column but I've read numerous posts that didn't. | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 844 Registered: 02-2003 |
take the key out and lock the steering wheel in position. | ||
| Lionel (Fromage) Member Username: Fromage Post Number: 68 Registered: 02-2003 |
Chris, Pretty much the first job I did on my Disco. No manual, no instructions, just some D-Web reading prior to doing it. The box in itself is not an issue. It takes a bit of effort to pull it out or put it in (from the top) but no big deal. The only big deal was to get the pitman arm out. That required a special pitman puller ($8 or so at NAPA). I spent half of the total time finding the right tool after I broke several cheapo pullers...Other bolts and pipes are easy to unscrew/remove and put back. Couple comments. It is super messy (the messiest I have ever done), so prepare plenty of rags. Needed also too clean the area once the box is out. Purging turn me into being stupid. I got impatient and did it with the engine on. Nice geyser coming out (I had anticipated that one and had a rag on top) but emptied the tank in no time. Best way to do it is lift the front axle in the air and do it patiently, engine off. As far as centering the steering, that was a bit tricky, I ended up driving to a straight line and then adjusting the steering column accordingly. A bit tedious at first but very quick after a couple times (and a couple hand burns on the exhaust manifolds...). Locking the steering without the key had too much play in it. I did go for the Meridian, cheapest around and have had absolutely no problem or leak since (about 6 months ago). Good luck and anticipate about 6 hours if you are mechanically inclined (like Rob said after a couple time, it only takes 2 hours...) Lionel 95 DI 192k | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 846 Registered: 02-2003 |
FYI you can adjust the steering wheel buy doing a conventional alignment. | ||
| Alex Cabrera (Alexcabrera) Member Username: Alexcabrera Post Number: 135 Registered: 12-2002 |
cool.... thanks all. I'm also planning on doing mine this weekend. | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 850 Registered: 02-2003 |
before trying to remove the box itself i found it VERY helpful to remove the one transmission oil cooler line, it's the one in the front shown here http://www.discoweb.org/robdavison/misc/ho060.jpg |
