Are new steering gearboxes available? Who is a good rebuilder for them? Also, can the steering gearbox be removed / reinstalled from the car without having to take out the entire steering column? Thanks!
Stever,
There have been many threads here on steering: adjustment, overhaul, rebuilding vs new, types of lube, suppliers.
Suggest you search the archives and read everything on steering boxes before you decide how you want to proceed.
Boxes are available from all the US and UK suppliers, as are replacement parts.
PS - I've been talking to a local BN7 owner who is mechanically knowledgeable. He had to return 2 DW boxes; one would bind when steering to the right; the other developed extreme stiffness after a few miles. Both had machining errors.
I'd be tempted to pay more to buy from one of the US suppliers (Healey Surgeons, BCS, Tom's Imports) because of the ease/lesser shipping cost of replacement in the event of trouble.
Healey Surgeons gets a shipment from AHSpares every month or so and I believe their markup would be less than, say, Moss. I would definitely talk to them. You could get them to verify the box was good before transshipping it to you.
If buying direct from the UK, I would want some kind of extra assurances to cover shipping etc completely in case of trouble.
PPS - don't forget to check all your linkage ball joints, your steering adjustment screw and your idler for excess up-and-down play before writing off the steering box.