Steering refresh!?

[ivwshane]

So I decided to install the butty bits accelerator mod and that kind of led to a snowball affect and I’m fixing other parts in the area. So far I’ve refurbished the pedals and I’m awaiting a new hinge pin and spring. I was in the middle of replacing the steering coupler when I figured I should probably refurb my steering box before I completely reinstall the coupler.

I have a couple of questions though.

How do I completely remove the base plate cover?

I thought I remember seeing a thread on the steering box removal but all I’m getting is stuff for earlier models, does anyone have a link?

Now to the main questions: how do I remove the box? The coupler is disconnected so I just need to remove the pitman arm and four bolts right? I’ve read I’ll probably need a pulled of some sorts? Anything else?

For rebuilding the box (really I think I just need to re-seal it), what exactly will I need?
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[aeromech]

You will need a pittman arm puller. Even then, sometimes they don't want to come off. I've had to cut two off in the past.

https://static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/4HA48_AS01?hei=804&wid=804
_________________
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[SGKent]

You need to pull the pitmann arm on the steering box, then remove the coupler at the top. Then the 3 bolts and the gear comes off. I''d set the steering centered before doing that.

You need new seals also. You also need a small torque wrench in the 0 - 25 INCH pound range to set it perfect and something like this:

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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[ivwshane]

Is there a seal kit available? If not how do know which seal to get?

Sgkent, I’m not understanding what you are showing me. That looks like the top of the steering box but what am I supposed to do with it?
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[SGKent]

you buy the seals separately. Several threads here on seal sizes

To properly set the gear box at the correct preload you need a means to turn the shaft. That home made tool allows one to hook a inch torque wrench up to the shaft. It is made from a spare clamp that went on a bay. The nut is only welded on one side so the clamp still works.

I'd tell you to come over and just do the work here because I have everything you need to do that job but we haven't been having anyone by since the SARS2 thing started.

Use double lip seals if you can find them.

[ivwshane]

Hmm....now you have me concerned with that tool.
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[sodbuster]

[tommu]

I just sealed up my steering box. It was leaking from both seals and the top cover. I sealed the top cover with loctite 518 and used seals from Alan Schofield . I had them delivered when I was in the UK - not sure what shipping here will be.

I didn't need to adjust my steering box so didn't set preload. How's your steering right now?
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[SGKent]

Tom, A set of double lip seals for a late bay in the USA are about $16 - $20 delivered from a bearing supply. I listed a new spare set last week for $8 shipped but tossed them because no one showed any interest. The 518 will work but the paper gasket is part of the preload measurement so it should be there, and the 518 thin. There are two preloads - one is the worm preload and the other the shaft preload. The worm preload is determined by the shim (which new ones of different thicknesses are not available), and the shaft is determined by how tight the screw is. The worm is made so that it is high in the center. That way when it is properly adjusted there is a slight drag thru the center. As it wears away with use that high area goes away. As long as it is not tighter off center than on center the box is still quite good. The reason the worm center is higher is that if the box was low on center and it was adjusted at that low spot then it would bind at the outside of a turn and the car would crash. The original factory gasket sealer that ZF used was Curil K2.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin