80 Series Power Steering Box

[g35me]

I have twisted the sector shaft in my power steering box. I have grabbed 3 second hand boxes and need to choose the best one then hand the other 2 back. Does anyone know how to check for the tightest box (like that one?) without having to fit them all?

[Toy80Diesel]

I have twisted the sector shaft in my power steering box. I have grabbed 3 second hand boxes and need to choose the best one then hand the other 2 back. Does anyone know how to check for the tightest box (like that one?) without having to fit them all?

If you find that 2 of them are good, I'll be interested in one. Mine is steering perfectly, but has started to leak from the input side (steering wheel shaft). By the way, are we talking 80 series(post 95)?

In the mechanic's book, (gregory's) it says you measure the play by using a gauge on the internal parts. But that would mean taking the things apart, so thats no good. Dont forget there is an adjustment screw at the top to remove the play, if the box isn't too far out. Apart from that the manual only suggests checking for play in the vehicle.

Could you put it in a vice and turn the input shaft and check how far it goes before moving the pitman(?) arm?

[dow50r]

Put the lower shaft in a vace and rock the body back and forth...that wuill give you the indications...
If your box is leaking from the input shaft, drop a few drops only of brake fluid in the reservoir and keep driving....oh...buy a set of seals from ebay for $120 and install them....sometime later....
Andrew

[g35me]

I have twisted the sector shaft in my power steering box. I have grabbed 3 second hand boxes and need to choose the best one then hand the other 2 back. Does anyone know how to check for the tightest box (like that one?) without having to fit them all?

If you find that 2 of them are good, I'll be interested in one. Mine is steering perfectly, but has started to leak from the input side (steering wheel shaft). By the way, are we talking 80 series(post 95)?

In the mechanic's book, (gregory's) it says you measure the play by using a gauge on the internal parts. But that would mean taking the things apart, so thats no good. Dont forget there is an adjustment screw at the top to remove the play, if the box isn't too far out. Apart from that the manual only suggests checking for play in the vehicle.

Could you put it in a vice and turn the input shaft and check how far it goes before moving the pitman(?) arm?

I know one of the 3 is meant to be a 97 model I'm not sure about the other 2. I thought that all of the 80 series power steering boxes are the same. This has got me worried as mine is a 91 model. Can anyone confirm this?

I'm sure all 3 are good but I am trying to find which one is the 97 model because its meant to have done only 56000k's. Howerver I only paid $300 for the box so I'm sure he would sell either of the other 2 to you for $300 as well.

[dow50r]

Look at the bends on the pitman arm...the later ones are diff-erent...same as a 100 series....
Andrew

[g35me]

Will they still bolt up and fit with an earlier model pitman arm?

[Toy80Diesel]

Put the lower shaft in a vace and rock the body back and forth...that wuill give you the indications...
If your box is leaking from the input shaft, drop a few drops only of brake fluid in the reservoir and keep driving....oh...buy a set of seals from ebay for $120 and install them....sometime later....
Andrew

Brake fluid hey? so it temporarily stops the leaks?

seal kits, yes I have seen them on ebay, but from what i can tell, I need to completely open the box to get to the seat from the input shaft. Is it difficult to re-assemble the box? I've heard rumours about the teflon seals and ball bearings inside the box.

[g35me]

I am hearing the boxes and pitman arms are identical? Also I put all the pitman arms that I have against one that I know is a 91 model and the all look the same. I took pics as well if anyone cares.