Steering box problem and leakage

Hi, I'm new to the forum and to Landys so please hear me out and help me out! We were out and about the other day and the driver was a little over zealous on some big roots.

I'm not mechanically minded (yet) but we've now clearly got a problem of sorts with the steering box. She moans like Chewbacca with a migrane when you turn the wheel and the steering is heaving. She leaks are nice rosey fluid heavily when driven even a few meters (see photo of the top of the steering box drop arm). I am naively hoping that its just a problem with the steering box drop arm or some seals, but what could the general diagnosis be? and, given a haynes manual and a limited workshop, could I give it a go at fixing it myself?

Many thanks

seals need replacing if shaft isnt too worn but not cause of noise unless empty res,is noise loose belt or worn pump

Just put a bit of brake fluid in the power steering resiviour . I know of it lasting years as a fix, I dont know why it works just does!

it makes the seals swell.

Discoandy said:

Just put a bit of brake fluid in the power steering resiviour . I know of it lasting years as a fix, I dont know why it works just does!

Click to expand...

Sounds like a cheap fix for mine! How much brake fluid can i put in and is it safe?

jamesmartin said:

seals need replacing if shaft isnt too worn but not cause of noise unless empty res,is noise loose belt or worn pump

Click to expand...

The problem didnt creep up on me, it was from an immediate knock so i guess its unlikely and highly coincidental to come from a gradually worn pump or loose belt. Perhaps it knocked a seal, forcing the fluid out, causing the noise? What other problems could have been created with the steering box? Cheers

jack front up and try turing wheels by hand to see if free or jamming noise is either pump valve opening like when in full lock as steering jammed ie track rod through guide under diff or damper on front draglink damaged

mick the builder said:

Sounds like a cheap fix for mine! How much brake fluid can i put in and is it safe?

Click to expand...

Been running mine like that for approx 2 yrs now, about half a litre went in mine, cured all the leaks and I've driven it all over the world like it, even changed the pump and obviously all the fluid in Malaysia recently and still no leaks.

Lee

jamesmartin said:

jack front up and try turing wheels by hand to see if free or jamming noise is either pump valve opening like when in full lock as steering jammed ie track rod through guide under diff or damper on front draglink damaged

Click to expand...

James, haven't tried it yet, but I will when I get back this weekend. I've been doing a wee look around on forums and it seems that although replacing the bottom seals doesn't work out that often, its worth a try. I cannae afford a recon Box let alone a new box right now.

...Saying that...It seems that taking the drop arm off is going to be quite a prospect without the right tool and getting access to the right tool (i.e. paying a garage) would cost me a hour labour plus VAT and it might not even work! Thoughts anyone? Thanks for the replies by the way.

Whilst we're on the steering box topic, what is the best juice to refill the resevoir with? I need some anyway as its all out.

Refill with ATF automatic gearbox fluid and some brake fluid as previously mentioned.

Lee

If it's totally shagged, then this might gie ye an idea on how tae change yer box...

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/steering-box-renewal-63806.html

igot a 2nd hand box for £40 from local indi garage when i changed mine and the drop arm came off easy guess i was lucky all done one sat morn easy job. ichanged to a 4 bolt box think they all fit but check....