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1800E Steering Box mess 1800

posted by  Duck on  Thu Mar 17 17:57 CST 2011
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last visit: Wed Apr 30 21:00 CST 2014
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Bought a rebuilt box some years ago and have been feeding it 80w gear oil for the last couple of years because of leakage at the seals and plate where the shims are. Somebody had used Blue RTV on that shim cover plate and also on the the top lid instead of the Volvo gasket #656704. Question is: "Is this Blue RTV necessary ? " I feel it hindered more than helped. What do you say?
All that is required for gaskets by the book is: the top cover gasket 656704 .








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    1800E Steering Box mess 1800

    uid 4846's pic
    posted by  JohnMc on  Fri Mar 18 06:48 CST 2011
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    last visit: Thu Oct 23 07:42 CST 2014
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    I'm not sure if it's entirely kosher or not, but I got sick of constantly refilling the steering box on my PV, and I didn't feel like taking it our for a rebuild (it's not worn out and sloppy, the bottom seal just leaks the oil out), so I... ummm... errr... just filled it with axle grease. Which is thick enough to not leak out, not thick enough to make any difference in the steering box functioning. It' sbeen that way for years now. Although I did lose the rust preventing oil slick underneath the car.
    --
    '63 PV544 rat rod, '93 Classic #1141 245 (now w/16V turbo)








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      1800E Steering Box mess 1800

      posted by  derek uk on  Fri Mar 18 08:04 CST 2011
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 12:33 CST 2014
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      The problem with using grease is that it gradually dries out. It also just packs up away from the moving parts and it's then just down to pot luck how much gets to the worm. Hot summer temps will help if you're lucky to get any or a blast with a heat gun might help too. There are some "liquid" greases and Jaguar spec a 140 grade for their steering boxes, that should churn around quite well.If you have a Penrite stockist anywhere near or you buy on line their self levelling grease that specially made for old steering boxes (LUB009) There's also a semi fluid grease spec'd for Land Rover swivel hubs that might work fine. Miller also do a thich oil for steering boxes.
      I know the steering arm is a pig to get off unless you have right puller but fitting a new lower seal is the way to go and then refill with to 90 hypoy.








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    1800E Steering Box mess 1800

    posted by  derek uk on  Fri Mar 18 05:12 CST 2011
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 12:33 CST 2014
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    Well, if it's leaking out at the top there's plenty of oil in there! The lower oil seal is the killer if its leaking. It's a simple gasket to make from a sheet of gasket paper, one either side of the shims if you use thin paper. Clean everything up and make sure the surfaces are flat with no burrs or gouges. A thin smear of grease on the gasket, shims and lid won't do any harm and the lid needs to be on tight. Use 90 hypoy the same as your back axle, then you won't need 2 bottles on the shelf.








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      1800E Steering Box mess 1800

      posted by  Duck on  Fri Mar 18 09:57 CST 2011
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      last visit: Wed Apr 30 21:00 CST 2014
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      Derek:
      Thank you for your input with my steering box situation. Although, before dismantling the box, I turned the worm gear.....I heard a light grinding sound. After taking everyhing apart , noticing a small amount of steel debri inside. I cleaned everything up with mineral spirits and blew it out with compressed air. I do not see any visual wear on the race or bearings.
      We hope this is nothing to be alarmed about.....?

      Thanks, Duck








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        1800E Steering Box mess 1800

        posted by  walrus3 on  Fri Mar 18 11:20 CST 2011
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        last visit: Mon Dec 2 14:20 CST 2013
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        This sounds remarkably like a thread on the 1800list.
        Did you examine the surfaces of the gears themselves? The bearings are fairly easy
        to replace but basically the steering gear consists of the gears - without them it is scrap.








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          1800E Steering Box mess 1800

          posted by  derek uk on  Fri Mar 18 12:50 CST 2011
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          last visit: Fri Oct 24 12:33 CST 2014
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          I swapped a steering box over some time ago on an Amazon, just after I bought it, still have the car. It had a spot on the steering about an 1/8 of a turn to the left. If you found a curve that matched it, which was quite often, it would sort of stick there something like tram lining. Taking that box apart I found an area of galling on the worm where the surface had broken away. As this is part of the shaft, that was the end of that one. I'd guess that metal flakes could have been found in that box too. Reason probably lack of lube and over adjustment. Mileage about 150K at that point.








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            1800E Steering Box mess 1800

            posted by  Duck on  Sat Mar 19 13:38 CST 2011
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            last visit: Wed Apr 30 21:00 CST 2014
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            Worm gear and pitman gear surfaces are very smooth.
            I had chunks out of worm gear on a old 1800 box 15 years ago, so I realize what you speak of.
            Now that this 1800E box is all cleaned up and blown out, I'll assemble it and see how it operates. Spring is coming in a couple of hours!







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