14platoon · Mar 22, 2019

Hello
Defender ex MOD 1992 2.5n/a Diesel
I have had a leak from the power steering for some time now. It’s now getting pretty bad so I’m looking to fix it.
I’m quite competent at fixing stuff but I’ve never touched power steering before, most of my old cars didn’t have it.
Can someone explain how the system works in layman’s turns for me. I initially thought the steering box contained everything so I was just going to replace it but now I’m unsure if it’s the pump and if they’re joined or separate etc etc.
The fluid is dripping from the lowest point of the steering arm.
Thanks

jamesmartin · Mar 22, 2019

the shaft the drop arm is secured to is called the sector shaft , the seal is easy enough to change once you get drop arm off which can be exceedingly tight as it sits on a slow taper, youd remove dirt seal then internal circlip , place container underneath start engine and turn steering wheel to a lock it will blow seal out, you can ther fit new seal steel backingh washer then circlip ,but the big problem is shaft is usually quite corroded and pitted making seal life quite short lived , that can be sorted with a speedi sleeve, once done whether its that or another box bleeding isnt necessary just fill res keep topped up and working steering lock to lock

14platoon · Mar 22, 2019

jamesmartin said:
the shaft the drop arm is secured to is called the sector shaft , the seal is easy enough to change once you get drop arm off which can be exceedingly tight as it sits on a slow taper, youd remove dirt seal then internal circlip , place container underneath start engine and turn steering wheel to a lock it will blow seal out, you can ther fit new seal steel backingh washer then circlip ,but the big problem is shaft is usually quite corroded and pitted making seal life quite short lived , that can be sorted with a speedi sleeve, once done whether its that or another box bleeding isnt necessary just fill res keep topped up and working steering lock to lock

Thanks James
This sounds like a plan. The fluid does appear to be coming from the upper arm area and running down, so I’m guessing the upper arm area is where the sector shaft seal is as you’ve described.

14platoon · Mar 25, 2019

After a bit if research I'll probably just change the box. To save hassle I'll probably put a new drop arm on as the old one is probably a nightmare to get off. The replacement won't have an arm on it.
Has anyone got an instructable for this job? in particular I'm looking at alignment of the drop arm and the box of possible.

jamesmartin · Mar 25, 2019

box and arm have a master spline, arm will point forwards when box is center

14platoon · Mar 25, 2019

jamesmartin said:
box and arm have a master spline, arm will point forwards when box is center

Thanks James

14platoon · Apr 19, 2019

All done with no problem (Apart from bending a universal joint separater on the drag link to drop arm ball joint).
Thanks all.

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