DII Steering box leak

[SpeedAgent]

Guy at the shop said my steering box is leaking. Didn't give any other details and I haven't had a chance to check it out myself.

I checked the search and didn't find any posts related. Does anyone know of any common issues with a Discovery II and steering box problems?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[RonL]

Both Discovery 1 and 2 have had issues with steering box leaks.
My wife's Discovery 1 has had a new box and a seal kit to get hers to stop leaking.

How bad is it leaking? Drops on floor or puddles?

 

[SpeedAgent]

I haven't seen anything on the floor in the garage. Shop guy was doing an alignment and mentioned it. I'm guessing it hasn't gotten to bad yet.

Thoughts on either repair or replace? Do these just "go" or can they be salvaged? This thing just turned 50k and I haven't had any issues the entire time I have owned it. I'm starting to feel like I'm on borrowed time.

 

[RonL]

I would wait until it gets to leak more to see where is is coming from.
My first gearbox was leaking from the output shaft(pitman arm) and the newer book started leaking out the input shaft. You can add a lot of oil for the price of replacing it if it is just a slow leak.

Sometimes they can be fixed if it is just a seal but if the seal has cut-into the shaft, replace the whole box. Seal kits are 25% of the gearbox price but cost a lot more in labor. If you are doing the work yourself, you can replace it easily. Setting the gear lash at resealing it is more difference.

I would replace not rebuild.

 

[btate]

Hate to have my second post be peddling stuff...

But I have a D2 steering box in the garage that I don't need.
I got it thinking it would fit the defender, and never got around to taking it back. I found a NIB one for my d90....

 

[SpeedAgent]

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