Steering box flush

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by the 3 crispies, Dec 1, 2022.

  1. What can I use to flush/clean inside of box after we have drained oil. Drained oil and have what appears metal residue in old oil.

    Sent from my SM-A127F using Tapatalk
     
  2. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Is the residue silver or golden ? If the metal is golden, then its a bushing and you may need more than just new oil, as eventually you run out of adjustment as the bushing wears away.

    You can use something like white spirit.

    If you want to look inside, and you can shift the bolts holding the side cover on without them shearing, the adjuster screw is attached to the output shaft so you have to turn it clockwise to get the screw to wind into the cover, so the cover will lift off. Otherwise the shaft comes with the side cover.
     
    Soggz, the 3 crispies and Coda like this.
  3. Residue is bushings maybe but changed oil years ago and just tipped old out and new in without flushing

    Sent from my SM-A127F using Tapatalk
     
  4. Take the box off and do it properly - paraffin works [​IMG]

    An easy mornings work to strip and rebuild .
     
  5. ^this. Not too hard to strip, and you can change the oil seal as well.
     
    Lasty likes this.
  6. What's best order to do this @Lasty

    Sent from my SM-A127F using Tapatalk
     
  7. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Undo things. It comes apart. Just bear in mind the adjuster screw you can see poking out of the output shaft - its held in with a circlip, so it stays attached.

    This is badly worn and no longer adjustable..
    [​IMG]
    It was the source of the lovely golden glitter in the oil. As you adjust it, another step wears in the side of the hole and then it wobbles again.
    You would need to find an engineering shop to mill out a hole with clearance for pushing in a new bushing ... this original one is cast into the side cover.

    Did mine by eye with a Dremel and some digital calipers over an afternoon back in 2016, since put 50k miles on it.. With a PTFE loaded steel backed bushing, its slightly springy and has not needed adjustment since.
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2022
  8. Remove Pittman arm , remove box and start taking it apart ...

    Can't remember the strip sequence but it certainly wasn't difficult and will become apparent when you've got it in your hand ...

    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
     
    Soggz and the 3 crispies like this.
  9. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

    Isn’t there a how too on here somewhere. Someone used to also sell the seals you needed.
     
  10. MorkC68

    MorkC68 Administrator

    Don't refill with grease (it suspends any metallic particles and turns them into grinding paste) use the correct oil :hattip:
     
    Soggz, iblaze, Faust and 2 others like this.
  11. Coda

    Coda Supporter

    I don't know if it's the late or early boxes or both, but ISTR that the ball bearing are loose in the races and it's easy to lose them?
     
  12. Only having done a late i can say 100% the balls are captive in the race ..BUT ... They're apparently unobtanium if the cage has broken - @snotty ??

    @KeithH used to do the seal kit but I think he's run out , I just got numbers from the seals and bought them on eBay.
    Easy enough job , crack on !!

    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
     
  13. I recall they're captive in the cage. I don't think you can get replacements if the cage is bust, but it's unlikely to be.

    Somewhere in't garage I've got one of the seals. I'll have a measure. It's a standard part.
     
    the 3 crispies and Barry Haynes like this.
  14. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

  15. Here's a pic of my Keith seal kit. Main seal sizes as above, both single lip. O-ring if needed is 15/10/2mm. I think he sourced the pointer cap from a Land Rover.

    a newy4 seal kit 6s.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2022
    Ian Bell, the 3 crispies and Lasty like this.
  16. Crack on!! got engine to put back together, refit all gear linkages, refit gearbox and engine then sort steering side of things. Plus work +60 hours per week.......

    Sent from my SM-A127F using Tapatalk
     
  17. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    .. four to five days solid work.
     
    the 3 crispies likes this.
  18. So flushing out / rebuilding the steering box is way down on your wish list then ?
    Ah well , a bit of swarf in the oil is normal as it's probably never been touched since the factory bolted it on and really not a drama .

    Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
     
    the 3 crispies likes this.
  19. will drop steering box off tomorrow afternoon and report back bud. Will order seals Monday for now..
     
    Lasty likes this.

Share This Page