Got a leaky steering box, its coming from the top somewhere. Is there anything I can do like change seals? or do I just replace? There around £290 for a recon!

You can attempt to do the seals, but they are a PITA and there is no guarantee. If you are planning on keeping it for a while then changing it is the only real option.

I got one from Paddocks, but there are others such as Adwest. I would avoid stop leak or adding brake fluid as this may stop the leak, but will also harden other seals that are OK and could lead to pump failure

T

If it's coming from the top of the box it could be just the gasket leaking on the cover plate. Mine was leaking from here and was sorted by some Lucas power steering stop leak.

I'm not sure if the stop leak would harden the seals. It just looks like really thick oil to me.

Cheers, Andy

I'm keeping her as long as possible, its just another tick on the job list. I put some wynns stop leak in Saturday but its still leaking, not sure how long it takes to work. If it dosn't solve problem ill get a replacement. Are the ones from paddocks any good?

ive sourced a new steering box. will be fitting it in the next few days, is there anything i should watch out for? apart from **** loads of red oil going on my head! lol

Ideally you should have someone at hand to help if needed, its a heavy item and a pain to support it underneath and line the bolts up.

Also to get it out, you will have to drop the coolant rail which is the metal pipes running along the front under the rad, they contain a drain plug for you to drain the coolant first, but these are known to be very tight and can round of easily so use a 6 point socket on it, if it wont come out then simply drop the coolant by removing the lowest coolant hose of the rad.

I did try to get mine out without removing the coolant rail as I had recently renewed the coolant anyway due to water pump replacement, but no matter how much I fiddled, it would not come past the coolant pipes. So your going to need some OAT coolant as well to refill the system upon completion of the steering box.

Also, the drop arm can be a real nightmare to get off, often they have to be cut off, so if your new box has one on it then thats a lot of potential headache removed from the job. Paddocks recon boxes (for example) come with a new drop arm.

Out of interest, did you look at paddocks for a recon box as they are no where near £290.......they are only £214
+ vat but that includes £100 surcharge which you obviously get back when you return your old one.

http://www.paddockspares.com/pp/DIS..._includes_100.00_GBP_exc._VAT_surcharge).html

I dont know weather the later TD5,s had slightly different lower coolant pipes, but I was able to get my box out, ( and back in ), ( twice due to a faulty box from Paddocks ), without taking the coolant pipes off.

The pipe is fixed via a flange to the body with a 10mm bolt. I undid this and was able to move them enough to drop the box.

You have to be " firm " with it. ( I,m sure UP loves his Disco a little more than I love mine ! ).

Its a satisfying job when youve done it.

Del.

got the box today so going to fit it tommorow at work on ramp. it will be a lot easier on ramp compared to when i did my old 90 steering box on muddy floor outside. can i use normal ATF? Cant wait to get it done

Finally got the box in today, was a bit of pita! Took it for a test drive after and steering was sloppy as fook. After doing wheel alignment I had to adjust the backlash to get rid of the slop. Didn't think I had to do this on a new/recon box? Seems ok now