leaky steering box

[ozzie alpine]

G'day all,
My SII has a leaky steering box. No leaks when sitting or if you turn the wheels with no real force required (ie if the wheels are jacked up off the ground), but if you turn the wheels while it is stationary (ie lots of torque required), then it'll sometimes drop a considerable amount of oil and then stop - note, its not running yet so dunno what its like while driving!

Is it possible to change the oil seal from below with the box in-situ? ie after removing the lever arm. If so, then I will try this first. Otherwise I might as well pull the box for a rebuild I suppose, although the steering feels smooth enough (all front end joints are new, including kingpins, so its a little stiff still but seems OK).
cheers
Dave

 

[64beam]

Hi Dave,

I have not personally repaired the steering box, but I don't think it is a hard job. In the previous forum there was a thread regarding the oil in the steering box being changed to grease which is what I did. Have not had any trouble thus far. Have a read of the old thread.

Regards, Robin.

 

[Wombat]

Dave

I think is would be much easier to replace the seal with the steering box out of the car. The fact that it leaks when loaded may mean the lever arm bush is worn, letting it move far enough to deform the seal. Probably worth checking this as well.

 

[61Alpine]

How did you go about removing the oil in the box before putting the grease in, and what grease and how did you put it in?

Thanks

 

[Nickodell]

Rob: Don't bother removing the oil currently in the box - it will remove itself!

You can simply pump grease (use the lightest grade of lithium grease) in through the filler hole, but you'll probably find that messy. Years ago I drilled and tapped the top plate and installed a Zerk grease fitting, and now all I do is give it a dozen pumps every week or so. Of course, you can't see the level of the grease so if it starts coming out of the top of the steering column I guess I'm using too much.

 

[ozzie alpine]

OK, I'll pull the steering box out and do it properly.
Might even put a grease fitting on top while I'm at it.
cheers
Dave

 

[Bill Blue]

Dave, good luck pulling the box!

Please keep us up to date on the trials and tribulations encountered.

Bill

 

[V6 JOSE]

OK, I'll pull the steering box out and do it properly.
Might even put a grease fitting on top while I'm at it.
cheers
Dave

Dave,

Are you planning on changing the seal so you can go back to using oil to lubricate the steering gear? I have found that it won't take long for the new seal to leak again, causing you to have the same problem again. I recommend taking off the top of the box, pack it with lithium grease, put the top back on again and forget it for as long as you own the car. I did this to my first Alpine, that I restored back in 1975, and it is still working without leaking any of the grease out of the box. I suggest fixing it once, then forget it.

Jose

 

[61Alpine]

Jose,
Is that White Lithium grease?

 

[jumpinjan]

OK, I'll pull the steering box out and do it properly.
Might even put a grease fitting on top while I'm at it.
cheers
Dave

I agree. Its probably never had any maintenance in over 45 years. All you need is a good seal. The later boxes have an O-ring thats easy to find. Just about every steering box that I have rebuilt, needed it really bad. Its tricky to set the preloads with shims, don't loose them.
Jan

 

[V6 JOSE]

Jose,
Is that White Lithium grease?

Yes Rob,

White lithium grease is what I used. Someone has suggested another color of lithium grease, and I think that would be OK too.

Jose

 

[ozzie alpine]

I think I'll follow Wombats advice and check the bush while I'm at it. While its out I can properly clean and check the internals before using grease.
Might as well do it properly.
Might be a week or two until I get to it though.
Just the steering box and rear axle seals (and axle bearings maybe) to go, and then I'll try and fire her up! (hasn't moved under her own power since 1989)