60Patrol

Thank you Esteban, we will use your information this week.

Esteban,

Eddy the Eagle has pulled my drag link apart. The first interesting "find" is that my drag link did not have springs, nor a place where springs might go. He tightened and adjusted everything but no improvement.

Next, we will align the tires and stress test the rebuilt Birfield joints.....again.

Lastly, we will likely need a replacement steering box. Do you, or anybody, know of a modern heavy duty replacement steering box? Any manufacturer is fine.

Then, if I must keep the existing steering box it has started dripping some fluid since Eddy started. Does anyone know which seals fit the steering box?

Needy as usual,
L60Boerne

L60Boerne wrote:Esteban,

Eddy the Eagle has pulled my drag link apart. The first interesting "find" is that my drag link did not have springs, nor a place where springs might go. He tightened and adjusted everything but no improvement.

Next, we will align the tires and stress test the rebuilt Birfield joints.....again.

Lastly, we will likely need a replacement steering box. Do you, or anybody, know of a modern heavy duty replacement steering box? Any manufacturer is fine.

Then, if I must keep the existing steering box it has started dripping some fluid since Eddy started. Does anyone know which seals fit the steering box?

Needy as usual,
L60Boerne

I partially dismantled the steering box 3 years ago. The seal is 32 x 45 x 8 mm. The one I found on eBay at that time was 32x45x7mm and has being working very good. No leaks. Due to ageing it's natural that this seal has failed in yours.

Metric Oil Shaft Seal 32 x 45 x 7mm Double Lip Price for 1 pc

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Metric-Oil-Sha ... 0147!US!-1


Too bad that the springs were missing on the drag link. At this point Eddy the Eagle should check the steering box before dismantling it. If the amount of play that you mentioned is caused by the steering box alone, it's probably a goner. The bearings inside are unobtanium, since nobody has been able to produce yet a meaningful aftermarket number for a replacement.

He should be aware that the adjuster on the steering box cover, do not adjust the steering box as it happens on other boxes. The backlash inside the steering box is corrected by the shims, and the adjuster only keeps the roller shaft in position.

Regarding fitting a different steering box, anything is possible, but I don't know what the donor vehicle should be.

Maybe member Coyote Patrol can have some insight regarding it.

Thank you Esteban, I really appreciate your response.

L60Boerne wrote:
Eddy the Eagle has pulled my drag link apart. The first interesting "find" is that my drag link did not have springs, nor a place where springs might go. He tightened and adjusted everything but no improvement.

L60Boerne

I have some spare springs from my broken drag link. Happy to send them to you if you'd like. If it's a stock drag link, they should fit.

Thank you but Eddy says there is no place to even use a spring? He is pretty sharp. Any chance you would have a picture of where they should be? Or some way we can verify that i do actually have an OEM drag link?

Your offer is greatly appreciated. I want to take you up on it as I feel he just wasn't looking in the right spot for where the springs should be.
L60Boerne

Drag link.

Thank you River patrol. Your tireless efforts on our behalf is deeply appreciated.
Patrolling aimlessly at times,
L60Boerne

I wonder if this would be an opportunity to try to source these parts from JointFuji?

Plateucal,

I think I have all the parts except the steering box. Does their inventory list a steering box? I'd buy one... even if I ultimately don't need it.

Regards,
L60Boerne