Rebuilding FJ55 Manual Steering Box

[wngrog]

Has anyone done this lately? Mine is leaking pretty bad on my 77 even with the syrup thick Lucas fluid in it.

If so, who sells the seals? I looked in the usual places with nothing listed.

 

[wngrog]

Or just pump it full of axle grease? I can't imagine why that would not work.

 

[Megadoomer]

The PO RTV'd the crap out of mine and it gave up the ghost while I was trying to take the kids to the beach. That was the premature start to putting in power steering.

 

[abqcruiser]

I rebuilt mine about a year ago. I bought the kit from SOR. So far no leaks.

 

[wngrog]

I seriously see no reason why the box would not function just fine with a load of grease in it. Like you @Megadoomer PS thoughts would be silly and premature at this point, but I have all the leaks contained and I sure would like to eliminate this last one.

I have a spare box on my parts pig.....its a 73. I could rebuild it while I tested the heavy grease theory.

 

[J Mack]

You could use something like Scrapdaddy used in his window gear box “Cenex NLGI 0 corn head grease” or any NLGI 0 grease that’s available in your local area like “lubriplate sfl 0 grease” or even the “Skil 8 oz. Tube Worm Drive Saw Oil-80111” that they sell at the Home Depot. Any of these would be a good semi-permanent solution for a leaky gearbox.


IMHO standard wheel bearing grease is too thick and will cake causing issues with the bushings and seals if used long term.

 

[wngrog]

Skil 8 oz. Tube Worm Drive Saw Oil-80111

$21 Amazon for 4 8oz tubes.

That's worth a try.

If there a place to drain it or just displace the fluid as I squeeze the grease in?

 

[MtnYota]

Curious how this works out, my box is weepy too....man it sucks to look at

 

[wngrog]

I'll let you know. I'm going to squeeze this grease in and displace the gear oil. Drive. Repeat.

Lots of old car forums suggests this.

 

[71greenpig]

I rebuilt mine about a year ago. I bought the kit from SOR. So far no leaks.

Did this come with bearings and all seals?

 

[abqcruiser]

Did this come with bearings and all seals?

As far as I remember, there were no bearings, just a brass bushing, a couple of seals, and gasket. I also ordered a pack of shims, but didn't use them. It may not have been a kit. I looked on SOR yesterday, everything was listed individually. Some parts appear to be NLA.

 

[wngrog]

Skil 8 oz. Tube Worm Drive Saw Oil-80111

$21 Amazon for 4 8oz tubes.

That's worth a try.

If there a place to drain it or just displace the fluid as I squeeze the grease in?

This stuff was no thicker than the Lucas I put in there.

I pumped it full of Red Gear lube. Will advise.

 

[PabloCruise]

Before I went PS on the 40 I just pulled the pitman arm and replaced the seal with the Toyota p/n, worked fine.

I adjusted the box while I was at it.