BN2 Steering Box Leak

[Gundog61]

The first problem is, I believe, the wrong gear oil was put in the steering box. The lower seal is leaking and the oil is just running out of it. I have since put in the correct fluid and maybe it will be less of a problem.

My real question is Has anyone been able to change this seal without removing the box or doing a top end rebuild? After removing the Pitman arm, can the old seal be removed and replaced?

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I've done it. The hardest part is getting the pittman arm off; I ground down a Harbor Freight ball joint puller. I made a couple seal 'pullers' out of some 1/8" steel rod on which I ground long, flat ends--like a long screwdriver blade--then bent about a 1/16" of the tips. I worked them in and was able to pull the old seal out, and tap a new one in. The correct seals are hard to find, aftermarket replacements are thinner so some pack two of them in there.

An alternative is to put a really thick oil/thin grease in the box. Corn head grease works and there are some really thick oils from Penrite and others. Search on 'Healey steering box leaks' on this forum for some info.

 

[DerekJ]

Ditto everything Bob said. I did it myself with all the same experiences as Bob. I now use Penrith Steering Box lube.