Leeking steering box

[keith_boxley]

Hi.I'm new to this forum and am looking for some advice re a leeking steering box. The vehicle is a T reg TD5 with 80k+ on the clock and belongs to my daughter. She been advised that a new steering box is required and the bill is likely to be in the region of £500. I see from the internet you can but new seals, and there are various people offering reconditioned units, but are either of these options sensible or is it best to stick with the Land Rover part, in which case what would be a realistic price to pay for the job at an independent specialist.

Any advice greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Keith

[andymach23]

Hi

You can get Lucas power steering stop leak. I put that in my PAS system and it helped my steering box leak. It also improved the feel of my steering. It's maybe worth a try at about a fiver a bottle. You can get it on ebay.

I have also read on the forums that a little brake fluid added to the PAS can swell the seals and stop the leak for a time. A little means just a cap full from memory.

These are the sort of cheapskate work arounds that I like, which enable me to keep my money for the more urgent issues:)

Cheers

Andy

[kevinrbeech]

I would phone a LR Dealer and ask them the price, then you have a benchmark, with a one year guarantee on both the part and the work, the price that they quote should be what they do it for.
Going to an independent would get a similar result, maybe a little cheaper, but you have to confirm the terms.
I've never rebuilt a steering box but from what I've read rebuilding never seems to last for long.
So, reconditioned? Well, I guess you'd check the terms again, but if you've got to pay for the labour once it might as well be for a new part, and of course once it is done you'd expect a few years of use from it.

[keith_boxley]

Thanks for both those replies. The Lucas stop leak looks worth a try, it might at least provide some breathing space to save up the 500 quid!

Keith

[lawson]

As kevin said i have never fitted seals but i have heard stories of them only lasting for 2-3 weeks as the wear is usually on the output shaft its self. Lawson

[Les Henson]

The likes of Adwest, NPT, etc do re-con exchange boxes for less than half the £500.


Les.