Power Steering Gear reman or rebuild?

[Eric Winkworth]

Well it's time to put the cruiser back on the road. Since I parked it before spring the steering gear has started to seep when it sits, very very slowly but it leaks none the less. When I give it it's run every two weeks it's always in need of fluid.

Now I have to either rebuild it myself or buy a reman (which is more then I wanna spend). I've lurked around the fourms and found a few good write ups on this, but I wanted some to ask about steering play, from what I can see everything up front is good and tight, I replaced my steering shaft/ u joint assembly with a JDM one ( my old one was fubared), also all my ball joints and tierods are good and tight, yet I have a fair amount of play in the wheel around an inch or so... I do think I could use a new steering dampener which is on the list...

I'm wondering if the play could be from the gear itself, and if a rebuild kit will remedy this?

Next I'm wondering where should I buy a rebuild kit from? Anyone have a good source? other than the stealer ship!

thoughts, advice?

 

[roscoFJ73]

Have you tried adjusting the play out of it (it is allowed 1 inch)?

I adjusted the steering box play when I 1st got my FJ73 and it has stayed slop free ever since.
The important thing is not to over do it and have an assistant.

 

[Eric Winkworth]

no I haven't tried that, I knda figured spec would be pretty generous with wheel play... before I replace my steering shaft I was definitaly over spec...

Are there any write up on adjustment?

I will take a picture tonite of where it's leaking from, maybe I can get away with a seal instead of a complete rebuild

it does have 300 000km's on it and is over 20 yrs old... lol

cheers
Eric

 

[roscoFJ73]

no I haven't tried that, I knda figured spec would be pretty generous with wheel play... before I replace my steering shaft I was definitaly over spec...

Are there any write up on adjustment?

I will take a picture tonite of where it's leaking from, maybe I can get away with a seal instead of a complete rebuild

it does have 300 000km's on it and is over 20 yrs old... lol

cheers
Eric

The manual is fairly straight forward . Get the wheels pointing straight ahead, back the lock nut right off and then do the adjustment screw up a bit at a time,checking the freeplay as you go.
The max freeplay is actually 40 mm,not 30mm.

I bet its leaking from the bottom

 

[Eric Winkworth]

actually it's leaking from the steering shaft input... I think it may have stopped for the moment, it actually only leaks enough to drain the resevoir over a month...

I have seen a tiny bit of rusty like water come out of the bottom during the spring thaw....

never given me any trouble till now

 

[herco]

Hi TLC fellows!!!...I am new on this foro....I own a BJ 74 and I'd like to know experinces with 35" tires..or even bigger!..it's too much?..Will it suffer?