Steering box refurbish

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by bumble bus, Jan 8, 2019.

  1. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

    Have a search on here. Someone sells refurb kits including new seals and a how to.
     
  2. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

  3. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

  4. Yep, straightforward enough to do yourself if it’s not too far gone. There’s not much in a steering box.
     
    Anthony Williamson likes this.
  5. I *may* have bought Keith’s last kit...

    Sorry.
     
  6. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Dont despair.. apart from the dust cover on the top of the box, the lip seals are standard industrial sizes.
    However its worth taking the side cover off and inspecting the bushings...
    And realise that one that looks like this needs more than just seals....
    It is repairable but you would have to mill out the old bushing and press a new one in..
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2019
  7. Also I have noticed in many boxes they have been topped up with the wrong oil. Steering Box oil is pretty thick stuff. More like grease. If it pours out easily it is probably the wrong oil.
     
  8. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    I'm pretty sure it shouldn't be like grease as it would end up like grinding paste. Places that so-called "refurbish" them, seem to just pack them with the stuff, to mask leaks. It should be GL4 oil.
     
    snotty, Patrick Nguyen and paradox like this.
  9. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    Bizarre. Proper stuff pours (hence boxes leak once the seals have gone).
     
  10. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    The correct oil for a steering box type application is one where it lubricates correctly but lets any metallic debris "float" downwards away from the gears into a small recess, away from harm.

    You are indeed correct in saying it shouldnt be like grease..like some of the VW experts use!
     
    snotty likes this.
  11. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    Exactly.
    If the stuff linked up there is as thick as stated, I'd be chucking it in the bin.
    Must have been a wrong'un. If it wasn't supposed to pour, it wouldn't be sold in a bottle.
     
    Lasty and MorkC68 like this.
  12. ^this. EP80 gear oil, not grease.
     
    MorkC68 likes this.
  13. thick goo oozing from anyone's box isn't nice!
     
  14. Ozziedog

    Ozziedog Supporter

    I’m of a similar mindset to those above ^^^ however a couple of years back someone introduced me to a link on some old banger website very similar to some that I frequent ;) where they were extolling the virtues of a steering box lube that was ‘’almost’’ as thick as grease but still allowed debris to sink to the bottom, it’s not as if these steering boxes are whipping around constantly at several zillion rpm and not allowing crap to drop and leaving it as a grinding paste perpetually suspended as it may be if it was real grease. :) I’ve yet to try this magic stuff but it’s worth an ounce of research as that may be what’s in there.:)
    Absolutely right about thick goo oozing from anyone’s box, enough to put you off your sarnies. And, is there a definitive point where oil is so thick it is in fact grease ? Or is it made from completely different stuffs perhaps :)

    Ozziedog,,,,,,,, oh, just saying :)
     
  15. Thanks all for the advice.

    I will try to inspect the box and try to replace the seals myself.
     
  16. I said the same to the last Mrs
     
  17. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    All I remember was there was a lot of lovely bronze glitter in the oil in my steering box when I first did the seals.
    Sort of like tigers eye (asbestos in quartz) stones....
     
    Gingerbus likes this.

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