Rangie Power Steer Box, need advice.

[Kirby]

What should I do, 1973 Rangie which doesnt get driven on road used for playing off road only , Power steer box started leaking pretty bad 18 months ago so had a seal kit put through it. Has now started leaking again.. So do i redo seals , buy a new reco box, or is there a better box that bolts in pretty easily. ie Patrol..
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I hear theres a 3 bolt and a 4 bolt Rangie box. Which one is better , and how do you tell the differance from a 3 bolt to a 4 bolt ? I assume its the bolts on top.
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Appreciate any help , I just want a strong box that doesnt leak. What have you done ?

[dck7aok]

Hi.
You are correct about the bolts on top. 3 = 3 bolt and 4 = 4 bolt.
4 bolts are slightly less problematic with leaking, but only slightly and I don't know why.
The power steer hose will need to be modified to fit a metric 4 bolt. easily done with brass adapter and olive.
No strength difference to speak of.
Never fitted any other brands.
Unless you've whacked the shaft and bent it, then clean the shaft up with some fine emery and put some new seals in.

Dan

[Kirby]

Thanks Dan, are they fairly simple to pull apart and replace seals ?

[dck7aok]

Dead easy if you don't need to get the shafts out.
Seals are best pushed out with fluid pressure(read in car with engine running)
But air pressure works too.
Dan

[rustysrangierecks]

In the latest 4x4 extreme mag there is a defender with a D2 steer box and they reckon they get more responsive turning and stronger.
Not to sure how much of an upgrade it would be

[Kirby]

Thanks for the idea and info..

[ISUZUROVER]

Replacing seals will not fix a leaky box. Usually they leak because of worn shafts etc...

When my 4-bolt was worn and leaky, I replaced it with a late D1 box from a wrecker. Cost $220, and has done heaps of km and plenty of hard trips without leaking.

A D2 box would be an even better option if you can get one for the right price. For a defender/110 you need to reuse your old drop arm, however a D1 drop arm is probably the same as a RRC.

[Kirby]

That sounds interesting, if the Disco box is a pretty easy fit, that would be the way to go , especially if its stronger and more reliable than the Rangie box.

[KiwiBacon]

3 bolt boxes run on bushings, 4 bolt are bearings. That's your major difference. The 3 bolt boxes become impossible to keep oil in when the bushings are worn.

[Kirby]

For those interested, I got hold of a steering box from a Defender about a 2008 model and it bolted straight in.. I didnt think it would as my Rangie is a 73 model. Just had to get a fitting from Pirtek for 1 of the hoses to fit. The other hose fitted. Havent taken it for a good test drive yet but hopefully it will be all good. It feels so much better than the old box, no play in it etc.