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[Greenbay packer]

I have just traced the disappearing fluid from my pas reservoir to a leak at the base of the steering box - the fluid has run all down the drop arm and all round the ball joints of the nice new centre and outer tie rods that I'd only fitted in August (no sign of any leak then!).

Where is this likely to be coming from and how is it fixed?  I'm assuming there's a seal in the steering box that's failed.  I can see what may be a double lipped seal, or possibly parts of two seals on the other side of the drop arm - or is this just a dust shield.

If its seal failure can it be replaced with the box in-situ or does the whole steering gear unit have to be removed?  If its the latter, how is this done - the job looks horrible in my Haynes manual, but I've also read on here that the Haynes description is a lie (but is the job easier or worse than Mr Haynes says?).

Also, where does the plumbing run between the pump and the steering box??

Thanks for any advice offered.

[Greenbay packer]

Anyone?

[Kevin Wood]

It's not a common failure, hence, I suspect, the silence.

I would double check that it's not the fluid lines into/out of the box that are leaking and if it looks like a failed seal in the box, replace it with one from a scrapper.

Not being a common failure means there's a good chance of a 2nd hand one being OK and I'm guessing removal of the box, although not easy, will probably be required to change a seal anyway.

Kevin

[Greenbay packer]

Thanks for the reply.  I will check the lines again - though its hard to see exactly where they join the unit everything around the top seems dry.  So you reckon to replace the whole unit with a 2nd hand one, not just the seal?

Is it the seal thats partly visible between the drop arm and the box, or is that just a dust cover?  Without an exploded diagram or an old unit to look at its difficult to appreciate where the problem lies.

[vauxfan2k]

Ive had a leaking steering box on the first v6 I had, it was leaking from the bottom seal on the shaft,

DO NOT follow the haynes book of lies if you plan to change it, there is a far easier way to do it, and thats to remove it from below not above as suggested by the book.

If you need to remove it get in touch and I wil write up some info to help you out.

cheers 

[Kevin Wood]

I would say clean it up with some TFR, paraffin, Gunk, etc. then see where the leak is coming from.

I'll see if I can find a diagram of it.

If it's the seal where the pitman arm fits, I guess it might be accessible enough from below the change the seal.

Kevin

[Greenbay packer]

Thanks guys.  I've had another look and its definitely leaking from the bottom of the shaft and I'm losing quite a lot of fluid. 

I you can find a diagram of it, Kevin (or anyone else), that would be great.

vauxfan2k - glad to hear that this is yet another occasion when the Haynes manual can be ignored!  If you could write me a step by step guide on how to remove the unit en easier way I'd be very grateful.  Do you know if the seal is easy to replace once the unit is removed (or better still, if it can be replaced with the unit in situ and the centre tie bar and arm removed)?

Thanks again.

[Kevin Wood]

Can't find a diagram but sure I've seen one somewhere. TIS suggests removal of engine mount and starter motor plus a few pipes and wires will allow it to come out underneath.

Kevin

[vauxfan2k]

there was a known fault with the pre97 steering boxes that caused this leak, most post 97 steering boxes had been revised and also had a different soundproofing seal between bulkhead and box.

I fitted a 99 box to my 95 car when I had it, altho I managed to fit it using the old bulkhead seal (didnt have the new one)

Jack car up as high as you can.  undo o/s engine mount, jack engine up as far as you can, remove engine mount arm completely from the block.

Next remove starter, then start removing the bottom nut from the shaft of the steering box, you will need to use ball joint splitters to get the arm off,

With all that done remove the o/s wheel and you will get access to the side bolts holding the box to the inner wing, keep note of the washers as they come off.

lastly from inside the car undo the universal joint from the steering wheel shaft (this is tricky due to location)

once all this is undone you will need to remove the steering pipes from the box and unplug the sensor.

with the help from a strong friend, remove the steering box downwards

fitting is reverse, but be carefull to align the steering shaft joint before you bolt the new box in, otherwise there will be swearing and crying.

there may be other little things that I missed, but it has been 5yrs since I did it, and it will all be apparent when you are doing it.

good luck 

[Greenbay packer]

Thanks for the info - sounds like hours of 'fun'  .

One thing I'm still not sure of though - once the box is off, is it easy to replace the seal on that box or do I need a new/ second hand box?

My vehicle is a 1998 so I may have the later box (unless its fitted with old stock) - is there any way of telling?

[vauxfan2k]

I just replaced the box as it was the same cost as getting a new seal fitted, but saved the labour and timscale that the box was off the car.

Ill check thru my pics for the pic I took of the replacement box, there are 2 variations of box, one with and one without speed sensitive steering.

[vauxfan2k]

if there are 2 of you doing the job it should be do-able in about 5hrs (including tea and biscuits time)

 

[Greenbay packer]

Ah....   so replacing the seal clearly isn't an easy diy job then.  Ok, I'll start looking for a replacement.

[vauxfan2k]

part no. on the box you want is 90 538 729

may be the same as your own, tho they were supposed to have been revised. so if your is the same its just rotten luck that its leaking i guess.

[Greenbay packer]

Thought I'd be able to sit it on the bench and simply replace the failed seal.