Steering relay - usual issues but cv grease?

Evening… fun and games this weekend include trying to free the relay! Read everything on this subject, and mine is one of the stuck solid variety. I’ve had a bit of a play jacking the car up on it and a few “taps” but no sign of any movement. Might well end up servicing it in situ. First though I thought about making some small holes with the drill from underneath between the relay and the chassis. I’m assuming there should be a small gap (full of crap) so I might be able to carefully clear it enough to break the rust up? Another idea is to use an SDS drill on chisel mode to shake the bottom edge of the relay, again to see if it breaks the bond. I guess it might break the casting?

I’ve taken the top off it, and as suspected when I shoved a cable tie on one of the holes previously, it’s packed with cv grease!!! Am I wasting my time thinking I can flush it out, or is it a deffo dismantle (bearing in mind all of the safety issues involved).

Why do you need to service it, is it knackered?
Col

It’s quite stiff. So I was going to run the correct oil through it and replace seals and gaskets. But as it’s got cv grease in it was thinking of taking apart to check it thoroughly.

I think it is meant to be stiff, ie have resistance to stop steering kick.
Mine has liquid grease in it 000 spec Iirc, bit runnier than cv grease.
Most people only put some sort of grease in there as the seals are knackered.

thanks, but to my mind, after removing the inners, it’s fooked! No?

Put it this way, I am replacing the drive shaft in mine with a NOS one and it is a 1000% better condition that that one
On the subject I am rebuilding the original steering relay on mine and I just happened to take it out to try it in the new Richards chassis I have, its a ver y sloppy fit and rattles around in the tube. This is not because it is one of the new ones that are the wrong size but simply because the hole is way too big. Is this a common issue with a new chassis?

I’d think if you use the same retaining ring, it’ll be ok? And come out easier next time…

where did you get the NOS shaft? The ones available seem to be £200 upwards!

£40 delivered, there are plenty of NOS stock parts out there is you are willing to look.
I have every internal bit to rebuild a steering relay apart from the two bushes which are in good nick and I am reusing and the total cost was about £60, ever bit original NOS.
The original retaining ring isn't where the strength was, it was the tube within the chassis X member. The original ring isn't strong enough to hold it against the forces involved as its just a piece of pressed steel. I suspect I will need to shim the relay inside the chassis tube.

AP landrover on ebay where selling Santana versions I bought one and fitted
Currently they are selling some made in Italy may be worth a punt aty that price.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401127447532?hash=item5d650f1bec:g:5nUAAOSw7H1ZlW3J

Blackburn said:

AP landrover on ebay where selling Santana versions I bought one and fitted
Currently they are selling some made in Italy may be worth a punt aty that price.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401127447532?hash=item5d650f1bec:g:5nUAAOSw7H1ZlW3J

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Thanks, I did see that one, a month delivery is a bit of a drawback tbh. Does anyone know the difference between the shaft for a series and this one?, https://www.101parts.co.uk/shop/steering/steering-box/shaft-for-steering-relay-lever-genuine/

DeviousLandyGod said:

Thanks, I did see that one, a month delivery is a bit of a drawback tbh. Does anyone know the difference between the shaft for a series and this one?, https://www.101parts.co.uk/shop/steering/steering-box/shaft-for-steering-relay-lever-genuine/

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Actually, scrap that, I can see it’s different, the ends are bigger!

There is place in Cyprus has OEM for £29+vat and shipping. Ive just bought a few parts for my relay

https://www.landrovertreasureshop.com/

search for relay and it shows all relay parts available. The thrust washers are a bit pricey at £25 each!

LordOWar said:

There is place in Cyprus has OEM for £29+vat and shipping. Ive just bought a few parts for my relay

https://www.landrovertreasureshop.com/

search for relay and it shows all relay parts available. The thrust washers are a bit pricey at £25 each!

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Thanks, did they take long to arrive?

Thats where I ordered my shaft from, all the other bits came from Blanchards, still awaiting delivery of the shaft

Literally just ordered them 10 mins before my last post.

LordOWar said:

Literally just ordered them 10 mins before my last post.

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Just ordered one too, thanks for that. They were running out of them fast!

I ordered mine a week ago, no acknowledgment of order but payment taken.
emailed them a couple of days ago, no reply.
Not that worried yet but just to check, did any of you get an acknowledgment of the order or anything else that would assure you it was received?

BruceB said:

I ordered mine a week ago, no acknowledgment of order but payment taken.
emailed them a couple of days ago, no reply.
Not that worried yet but just to check, did any of you get an acknowledgment of the order or anything else that would assure you it was received?

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Hi, yes, got an email. Also I can log in and see the order on my account described as “processing”.

That's interesting, I have definitely paid for it but no confirmation or response, will need to chase them up again methinks

BruceB said:

That's interesting, I have definitely paid for it but no confirmation or response, will need to chase them up again methinks

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I’ve now have confirmation of it being shipped and a tracking number FYI. I’m sure they’ll be in touch.