Steering box leeking

[mass199]

Hello guys and girls.

As above really, i've not driven my 200tdi during the Christmas break and was supposed to go out green laning yesterday, but when checking her over i found a big patch of oil which has come from the steering box.

Is it worth replacing the seals? or do i have to fit a new/refurbished one, and how hard is either job to do?

Thanks for any info and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Mark

[solihull-mick]

Hi Mass, dont bother down the seal route, tryed this many times, go for an exchange or good second hand box, 

[digger]

i done the seals on my it was a nightmare to get the arm off then after a month it started leaking again so go for a recon one it will save you a lot of hassle in the long run

[mass199]

Cheers guys, looks like it's time to get my hands dirty 8-[

[bogie]

Ur inner seals have gone,which means u can change the outer seals a million times and they will keep on leaking. no point putting a second hand one on unless its free,it could last 5 mins and if u had paided money ,that could have gone towards a recon. plus there r sum crap recons about. £150 is the averege price.

[mass199]

Anyone know where i can get a recon box from?

[digger]

paddock do one and you get £50 exchange for your old one

[beast5680]

i put new lower seals in mine 3 years ago and it hasnt leaked since :D there,s 2 an inner and an outer which can be replaced, is right fiddly though and i would be tempted to go down the recon box route if i had to do it again

[Disco-Ron]

I wouldn't bother with recon aain, i had a recon box, and it lasted 2 months, they replaced it, 3 weeks, again....... guess what..

So, i ended up getting a new one from Adwets engineering..... it's not leaked yet..... and it's now on another truck...!!

[Disco Matt]

You can get gunk which is supposed to soften the seals and cure leaks - it works in the shorter term but don't expect it to cure the problem permanently. In my case, the old box lasted another few months before needing replacement.

Replacing the box will do wonders for the handling too!  :lol:

[bogie]

As i said earlier ,decent recon box!!!!!!!

[Range Rover Blues]

I've got a recon on Blue, been there for 4 years and no problems.  Trouble is you don't know how much work was needed or was done in reconning, it was after all someone else's goosed box.  My old one I wouldn't wish on anyone, it had massive play in the centre point for one thing.

Seals tned to go because the main shaft and/or bearing is worn.  Even if the bearing gets swapped there will still be wear on the main shaft and as soon as it beds into the new bearing ther will be play again.  that's why so many recon boxes just make it out of warranty.

TBH there's a lot to be said for a second hand box from a known vehicle, my spare came form a 75,000 mile Disco.

If the seals have hardened form lack of use, that's a whole differnet ball game.

I'd also recomend this stuff, I've used it, it did work.

[Chris C]

I,ve put a couple of caps full of brake fluid in the PAS tank and it has stopped the leak for 2 months now............ a couple of more months and I should be able to buy a new box :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

For a short term fix it has worked for me and got it through the MOT no probs

[Range Rover Blues]

I've heard this before, it has to be a short time fix though as you say.

[wrecker]

it may be a real stupid question but what does brake fluid do to the pas oil

mine is leaking from the bottom seal bad,would that slow it down until i can get a new box,and would it harm the pump :D

[davidlandy]

it expands the rubber seals a bit

i did it too on mine and its worked for over a year now.

[wrecker]

it expands the rubber seals a bit

i did it too on mine and its worked for over a year now.

o right :D

how much would you think to be ok to put in with a tub full of oil :D

[Disco_Stu]

I'm now approaching 2 years after putting a few caps of brake fluid into my power steering reservoir to cure a leak. Worked a treat, 25,000 miles and no issues so far....