New Rebuilt Steering Box = Fluid Leak (1 Viewer)

[Fishbulb]

Hey ya’ll. I just swapped a new rebuilt steering box from Cruiser Parts into my RHD HZJ73. I now have a fluid leak and the steering seems a bit stiff even after bleeding the system.

I’m going to assume that I have the hoses connected into the wrong bung, but I literally can not get get the short curved fitting into the other bung…. Even on my old steering box.

What says ya’ll??

 

[AirheadNut]

Pretty sure the two different fittings are different sizes (17mm and 16mm if I remember correctly), so they can't be hooked up backwards. Looks like one of the fittings is leaking, I would take it apart and carefully inspect the seating surfaces on both sides to make sure there is no damage.

 

[Fishbulb]

Pretty sure the two different fittings are different sizes (17mm and 16mm if I remember correctly), so they can't be hooked up backwards. Looks like one of the fittings is leaking, I would take it apart and carefully inspect the seating surfaces on both sides to make sure there is no damage.

This fell from the engine bay while sliding the new steering box in. I didn’t think it went to the power steering lines, but maybe I’m wrong?

 

[AirheadNut]

Was that a plug in one of the ports on the new steering box?

 

[Fishbulb]

There were white plastic plugs in the steering box. I removed them after bolting it up to the chassis. I don’t have access to the car at the moment, but wondering if maybe it goes into one of the power steering fluid line fittings.

I’m clueless.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

Were there brass seats in the ports when you installed the box?

These things: FJ62 pressure port brass seats - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/fj62-pressure-port-brass-seats.1324687/

They need to be fully seated and undamaged in the union ports.

Your picture looks like it might be an old pressure port seat, though I would expect new ones in a rebuilt unit (especially from someone as reputable as CO).

 

[Fishbulb]

This is probably and hopefully the exact help I need. I will be taking a look as soon as I get home from work. Thank you very much!

I'm a noob, but I'm learning!

 

[OGBeno]

Hey ya’ll. I just swapped a new rebuilt steering box from Cruiser Outfitters into my RHD HZJ73. I now have a fluid leak and the steering seems a bit stiff even after bleeding the system.

I’m going to assume that I have the hoses connected into the wrong bung, but I literally can not get get the short curved fitting into the other bung…. Even on my old steering box.

What says ya’ll??

View attachment 3677760

Have you thought about contacting the tech support at Cruiser Outfitters?

 

[Fishbulb]

New brass seats have in fact been installed into the new steering box. I placed an order last night for new brass fittings incase they were damaged some how. I also sent an email to Cruiser Outfitters.... I'm hoping for an easy fix. It look like the pressure line going into the steering box is quite pricey.

 

[Fishbulb]

Update….

New brass seats installed and my leaks have been sorted. Huge props to Eurasiaoverland!

My steering is still a bit stiff and hard to turn. The power steering isn’t fully working right. I’ve turned and turn the steering wheel with the front wheels off the ground with the power steering cap off and it seems the system is bled.

Any other pointers? Am I missing something?

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

Great to hear that the leak is fixed, good work. Is the steering stiff only off-centre (i.e. when moving away from straight ahead), or all through the range? When driving, does the steering return to centre by itself or do you have to steer out of corners?

If the steering feels fine, it's possible that your pump is not working properly, but I would guess it's an adjustment issue.

When rebuilding these boxes there is a torque specification for the pre-load on the sector shaft teeth and worm gear bearing. The final setting is done with a stud protruding from the top of the steering box. You should see a stud with a saw cut in the end and a 17 mm (spanner size) lock nut. This adjusts the tension on the sector shaft teeth. Try backing the stud off a quarter turn (i.e. winding it out) and see if that fixes the problem.

 

[Fishbulb]

Great to hear that the leak is fixed, good work. Is the steering stiff only off-centre (i.e. when moving away from straight ahead), or all through the range? When driving, does the steering return to centre by itself or do you have to steer out of corners?

If the steering feels fine, it's possible that your pump is not working properly, but I would guess it's an adjustment issue.

When rebuilding these boxes there is a torque specification for the pre-load on the sector shaft teeth and worm gear bearing. The final setting is done with a stud protruding from the top of the steering box. You should see a stud with a saw cut in the end and a 17 mm (spanner size) lock nut. This adjusts the tension on the sector shaft teeth. Try backing the stud off a quarter turn (i.e. winding it out) and see if that fixes the problem.

The steering is a bit stiff throughout the whole range and the wheel does center itself driving out of a turn.

I am aware of the adjustment on the box and that was my next question. I’ll give it ago.

 

[Fishbulb]

The steering is a bit stiff throughout the whole range and the wheel does center itself driving out of a turn.

I am aware of the adjustment on the box and that was my next question. I’ll give it ago.

Great to hear that the leak is fixed, good work. Is the steering stiff only off-centre (i.e. when moving away from straight ahead), or all through the range? When driving, does the steering return to centre by itself or do you have to steer out of corners?

If the steering feels fine, it's possible that your pump is not working properly, but I would guess it's an adjustment issue.

When rebuilding these boxes there is a torque specification for the pre-load on the sector shaft teeth and worm gear bearing. The final setting is done with a stud protruding from the top of the steering box. You should see a stud with a saw cut in the end and a 17 mm (spanner size) lock nut. This adjusts the tension on the sector shaft teeth. Try backing the stud off a quarter turn (i.e. winding it out) and see if that fixes the problem.

Adjustment was a no-go.

Not to be a complete idiot, but this is the right fluid, right?

Cap says Dextrose ATF….

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

Yep, Dexron II (or better) is OEM specified.

Your current steering box - is it your original rebuilt? Or a different overhauled OEM box? Or a brand new aftermarket unit? If the latter, it may simply not be up to OEM spec.

Just to check - prior to changing the steering box, your steering felt fine, or was it already stiff?

 

[Fishbulb]

Yep, Dexron II (or better) is OEM specified.

Your current steering box - is it your original rebuilt? Or a different overhauled OEM box? Or a brand new aftermarket unit? If the latter, it may simply not be up to OEM spec.

Just to check - prior to changing the steering box, your steering felt fine, or was it already stiff?

My steering had massive play and that was after all new TRE’s and relay bar ends along with adjustment on the box itself.

I bought a “rebuilt” oem box from Cruiser Parts. I accidentally posted earlier that it was from Cruiser Outfitters. I’ll have to go back and edit that.

After fiddling around with the adjustment some more I think I finally got it to where it feels as it should and we aren’t leaking a drop.

I want to give you a huge thanks for replying to my post and walking me through the brass seats and the adjustment. Your help was spot on and very detailed. Thank you.

I’m not a mechanic obviously, but I’m slowly learning and with the help of this board I’ve been able to accomplish a lot of tasks and it feels good to not have to take my vehicle to a shop.

Cheers!!

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

My steering had massive play and that was after all new TRE’s and relay bar ends along with adjustment on the box itself.

I bought a “rebuilt” own box from Cruiser Parts. I accidentally posted earlier that it was from Cruiser Outfitters. I’ll have to go back and edit that.

After fiddling around with the adjustment some more I think I finally got it to where it feels as it should and we aren’t leaking a drop.

I want to give you a huge thanks for replying to my post and walking me through the brass seats and the adjustment. Your help was spot on and very detailed. Thank you.

I’m not a mechanic obviously, but I’m slowly learning and with the help of this board I’ve been able to accomplish a lot of tasks and it feels good to not have to take my vehicle to a shop.

Cheers!!

Thanks! Happy to help - that's what MUD is about

OK, Cruiserparts instead of Cruiser Outfitters - it makes sense now. Cruiser Outfitters are a first class operation in my experience, and Cruiserparts are definitely not. I have had nothing but incompetence and poor service in the few times I've chosen, for lack of an alternative, to deal with Cruiserparts.

Great news that you are happy with the setup at last! Enjoy.