leaky sterring box

[81 rangie]

as the tittle sugests the steering box leaks (fairly badly, the chassis is constantly wet) from one of the pipes going in at the top[, and no they are not loose. I have one sitting in a spare rangie, and was wondering if you guys reckon it's worth swapping. My steering sometimes feels as if the power steering goes. What do i need do the the sswap apart from new fluid.

cheers

[81 rangie]

anyone

[TRobbo]

Is it the box or hose that's leaking, i.e. can you identify exactly where the leak is (I know you said the hose was tight but maybe it is stuffed).
If the box is leaking then I assume it is possible for water and other crap to get in as well as fluid getting out which will eventually lead to a failure.

[1103.9TD]

Just replaced mine (Isuzu County) with a no-leak (hopefully) four bolt second-hand box. What a job!!, but worth it so far, as it still isn't leaking after Mapoon & back!!.
If the replacement box shows no sign of leaks, it's worthwhile, don't bother if it looks suspect. I've had mne out/in three times now, the bloke thats suposed fix them around here is useless, found out the other day he dosen't even hone them prior to fitting the new seals!!. Best of luck, cheers...

[81 rangie]

yeah the othery isn't leaking, so i might swap it. Apears to be coming from the thread. i would say the o ring is stuffed

[ISUZUROVER]

I thought my box was leaking, but a degrease and pressure clean showed that it was a weeping hose. So make sure you are 100% sure where the leak is coming from first!!!

[1103.9TD]

Yeah, I degreased mine, in the forlorne hope each time that it might be something simple like a leaking hose, no such luck, the last one ended up leaking out of the steering shaft seal, and the main shaft lower seal at the same time!. What a mess. Now in the process of replacing the various bushes and tie rod ends affected by the leaking fluid...

[ISUZUROVER]

Now in the process of replacing the various bushes and tie rod ends affected by the leaking fluid...

Sorry to hear of the hassles. This is why some people reccommend polyurethane panhard bushes...

[1103.9TD]

I heard they chew the inside out of the rod. I'm also in the process of converting other bushes back to standard LR rubber.... ie 'A' frame.

[Simo63]

yeah the othery isn't leaking, so i might swap it. Apears to be coming from the thread. i would say the o ring is stuffed

Mate if it's just an o-ring then replace it .. cost you almost bugger all. Beats the s#@t out of changing the whole box.

[ISUZUROVER]

I heard they chew the inside out of the rod. I'm also in the process of converting other bushes back to standard LR rubber.... ie 'A' frame.

I would only ever run poly panhard bushes. I have heard stories about the poly bushes wearing metal parts, but IME if they are kept greased with moly or copper grease it doesn't happen.