POWER STEERING BOX

Post by **roscoFJ73** » Thu Jul 31, 2003 11:20 pm

Recently I started getting a noise from the frontend somewhere. It more or less has been tracked down to the steering box and the cost of using new parts is astronomical.I found someone who is selling one that has been repaired for $350. He says the main shaft has been resprayed with metal spray?? and then machined back to its correct thickness and had new seals,bearing ect. Others I have spoken to have said this is only a temporary fix and the coating will wear quite quickly.They want me to spend about $750 plus to use all new parts,,and I think this is the wayI want to go as I intend keeping the car.Ive rung a few wreckers and they want $200-400 for units with no idea how old they are or the internal condition. So just to satisfy myself has anyone had to do this job.The vehicle is a FJ73 and will take steering boxes off FJ/HJ75.Its not urgent so I have time on my side.

Post by **bj on roids** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 8:01 am

Look for one at a wrecker with no leaks on a car that is not too beaten and take your chances, they often offer a 3 month warranty. So beat on it and if it breaks take it back!

Post by **roscoFJ73** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 11:53 am

BJ I was thinking along those lines but the wreckers and the private ones have already been removed from the cars.One wrecker had about 25 of them and said" take your pick"
The 3 months warrantys not really long enough for an item like that.I dont want to have to go through all this again in 12 months time so Im still hot on the rebuilt one with a new shaft unless a proven low klm one falls into my lap .Mines not leaking yet so as long as the noise doesnt get worse I can live with it.

Post by **bj on roids** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 2:32 pm

My last one I had rebuilt by Thompsons and was around the $500 marks for seals and labour. I felt sore, but steering is nothing to scrimp on I told myself.

Post by **roscoFJ73** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 3:10 pm

Bj did that include the power head ,sector shaft ect?

Post by **bj on roids** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 4:04 pm

I am not sure to be honest with you!!

Post by **pegasus** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 6:13 pm

My power steering leaks a fair bit, but I am quite happy to just keep topping it up!!!!!

Stew

Post by **roscoFJ73** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 9:13 pm

How do you put up with the mess Stew. The PO of mine let it leak for 2 years until I bought it. Most of the leakage was from a damaged reservoir where the draft from the fan hit it and coated everything under the bonnet and beyond to mix with the mud and road dust.I spent many a happy hour under there coated in shit trying to get it ready for its inspection lol

Post by **POS** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 9:27 pm

The Metal Spraying will last just as long as original material!!!

I would however just buy a GOOD 2nd hand one, like BJ said go to a wreckers where the pump is still on the car (not on a shelf after they have degreased it) and find one that has no visable sign of leaks!

As with anything 2nd hand it could very easily start leaking 2 weeks down the track!

But you get what you pay for!

Post by **pegasus** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 12:03 am

My power steering box leaks from some seal at the bottom of the box, near the pitman arm. I park the front of my car over cardboard to soak the mess, it doesn't drip as bad as it seems, uses about 1 litre of fluid every 2.5 months.

Stew

Post by **macuserau** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 11:00 am

there is a place called power torque in oak flats on industrial road and they rebuild the boxes but if the shaft is damaged they rechrome the shaft and that is done some where in sydney. I would say someone in perth would do a simular thing. :idea:

Post by **roscoFJ73** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 3:27 pm

Thanks for that macuserau and others .The problem with mine is the noise its making .It doesnt have any leaks .May look into this chroming idea. I got told the new shaft is about $400. I always like as many opinions as possible before I get my wallet out.

Post by **MUSS** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 5:38 pm

let us know how you go rosco... i got the same knockin noise... does it happen on full lock or when you hit a bump or rock?

Post by **roscoFJ73** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 7:47 pm

Yeah Jake kind of,but it is more of a groaning noise as I turn.Its not there on a cold start and gets worse as it warms up. I had a Landcruiser mechanic look at it and he says its definately the box. I also had a power steering expert look at it and he is not convinced and he told me to wait until it gets worse before making a decision. Im leaning towards the box theory because anything else would make a noise all the time cold or hot.Im wondering if the PO overtightened it which wouldnt surprise me after seeing his attempt at rebuilding the clutch master cyl LOL!!
Jake maybe yours is something to do with wear in the pitman arm

Post by **Ruggers** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 8:01 pm

before you try anything change the p/s fluid. what you do is take of the return hose to the pump/ resivor if remote mounted. and run it then fill it and and do this a couple of times the put it back together. it might make some noise at first but this is air in the system. just turn the wheel back and forwards and then let it sit and top it up and start it again. if it still makes a noise try some auto / ps fluid treatment or conditioner. this would cost you about 20 - 30 dollars and its what we do to noise pumps when they come to my workshop. and some pumps are not that hard to put a seal kit we do commodore v6 pumps kits cost 13 dollars for the seal kit. compare to a $150 change over.

Post by **RUFF** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 8:12 pm

This sounds more like a pump problem to me rather than a steering box problem.Does this sound only happen when you turn the wheel or does it do it all the time?

Post by **roscoFJ73** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 12:00 am

Ruggers,Ruff pumps fine .Just had it stripped ,checked and new seals(see above). Has new fluid with no air in system as the pumps at the top they self bleed fairly well.Air in system is usually accompanied by frothing in the reservoir when engine is turned .
The noise only happens when I turn and is definately not the pump.
When you turn the wheel you can feel the power steering box creak or groan by placing your hand on it although the noise is all over. The power steering shop reckons it is because the creak/groan is spreading through the chassis/steering rods. Its not loud and it passed a pit inspection with flying colours 3 weeks ago but getting worse . I think it maybe a bearing .There is 2 needle bearings on the sector shaft and a roller bearing in the power head.

Post by **roscoFJ73** » Sun Aug 10, 2003 10:49 pm

Ruggers thanks for that advice re the power steering treatment fluid .I put some in yesterday and after 150klm all the noise is gone and my long suffering pocket is also very happy.The steering also seems to have loosened up just alittle

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