Steering Rack question

1971 MGB GT

Noticed a small drip of oil directly under the "junction box" on the steering rack. It appears to be coming from the end cover or end cover gasket (Moss P/N 263-800, # 13 on page 42 of the latest Moss catalog). I tightend the two bolts last evening and placed a cardboard sheet under the spot and it still drips a bit.

My question is, when and if I replace the gasket, will gear oil come pouring out when I take the end cover off? Is there a way (perhaps jacking up the front end) to avoid further loss of oil? Is this a common point of leakage?

BTW, the front end suspension was recently, completely redone so the gaitors are new, clamped tight, no trace of oil anywhere else on the rack....jus below that end cover.

Thanks,
Bill

Just for fun, check out the clamps on the gators nearest the drip. I thought that I had a leakin the same place, but it was one of the gators. It will work its way down to the lowest point very subtilly and appear to leak on that flange.
Good luck. David

I think the only way to minimize loss of fluid would be to jack up the left side of the car. No matter what you do, there will be some fluid in the bottom of that box. Its not much fluid anyway.
How much did you put in when it was overhauled?
RS

I am experiencing the exact same problem at the moment, having just replaced the rack boots! I'm just about to put a new gasket on there next week, but in the meantime had taken the front cover off to try to clean and retighten with some gasket sealer.

No, it doesn't gush out, just oozes a bit then slows to nothing... less than 1/8th cup in my case, I estimate. I suppose most of it remains in the gaiters. I then topped up an esitmated amount by undoing the bolts on the top cover and removing the spacer and spring, then squirting some oil in there. On another thread I've got going on this topic, it was suggested that you can't really overfill the rack since excess will leak out where the steering column enters the rack.

As I say, it still leaked a bit (definitely from the front cover in my case), so it's new gasket time.

It may not be the gasket. The seal at the shaft going up to the steering wheel can also leak. Don't worry about losing the oil if you take it apart. Just take off the cover on the top of the rack, the shims and the piston with the spring and brass slug, to refill it, but first, grab the driver's side tie-rod right next to the boot and try to shake it. If you can feel play then you need to take a shim out from under that cover on top of the rack. They are 3 different thicknesses and the more play you have the more shim you take out. Make sure both wheels are off the ground so you can turn the wheels lock to lock. If there is no binding throughout the swing then it's not too tight. Once the play is gone in the tie-rod and no binding is there then you're done, except for making sure you put about 6 0z of 80-90wt gear lube in the top of the rack.

Thanks folks,

I'll give it a go this weekend.