steering rack leaking

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Sep 30, 2007 09:26:57
gcan
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I replaced the gators on my steering rack and filled with .40 pint of gear oil and it has been leaking since replaced.
I thought it was leaking from the damper box cover but removed, cleaned and sealed that and today after a short drive I discovered it is leaking where the pinion goes into the box. Is there a seal or gasket in thsi that I can replace. I just need the leak stopped, this is a driver and I don't want to put any more money into this one than necessary because I am working on restoring another.

Sep 30, 2007 10:46:05
flash75
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Is the leak around pinion shaft or from the pinion bearing end cap? There is a seal around the pinion shaft that can be replaced. You will have to remove the pinion shaft, you may be able to do it with the rack in the car. It will be easier if the rack is removed. On some racks I reworked I found some replacement gaskets under the bearing cover are too thin and leave a space between the rack housing and the cap. The replacement gaskets I found were about .010" thick compressed, you need a gasket about .025"-.030" thick. You can stack three gaskets or make your own gasket from some gasket material. OTH, maybe the suppliers are now stocking the correct gasket, but I wouldn't bet on that.

Clifton





Sep 30, 2007 11:20:03
gcan
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Moss doesn't show a seal, how do I replace?

Sep 30, 2007 15:04:58
twigworker
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If you use oil or gear oil for a lubricant and over fill the thing it WILL leak somewhere.

How much oil did you put in? To get it to leak noticeably out the pinion shaft seal either the seal must be really bad or you have WAY too much lube in there.

Jack

Sep 30, 2007 17:01:37
gcan
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I measured out a little less than 1/2 pint and then spilled some of that putting it in, it leaks about 3 table spoons in the garage after every drive. Now I know why the old gators were cracked and dry.

Sep 30, 2007 19:19:03
gjoakes
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gcan Wrote:

Quote: "
Moss doesn't show a seal, how do I replace?
"


British Victoria sells it, their p/n 5-4061 ($3.95).

I just went through this execise on my 72B. Be prepared to replace the bronze bushing and maybe the pinion ball bearing. I had to replace both. The bad seal had let water into the housing and it caused all sorts of destruction. The pinion bearing is also available from VB (p/n 5-2067 at $15.95) but I got the bronze bushing from McMaster(6381K549 at $2.84). If you need extra shims for the plunger cover you are out of luck. I couldn't find a source and ended up making my own from SS shim stock.

Before you go crazy repairing this you may want to make sure the inner ball joints are in good shape. If they are bad you may be best buying a replacement rack - either new or good/used. To check those you will probably want to remove the rack (actually not a terrible job compared to some things). The rack is actually a pretty simple device to work on although if can be tough to get apart if highly rusted or corroded.

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