[Healeys] Steering Box and Wire Wheel Questions--BJ8

[Earl Kagna]

Tom:

I agree with all of the responses on the leaking steering box.  ie: if you 
decide to replace parts, do it right - remove the column and do it on the 
bench.

Here is worked for me - several years ago for my tri-carb:  Drain the box in 
place - loosen the bolts for the bottom plate enough to allow whatever is in 
there to drain.  Allow lots of time for as complete a drain as possible.  I 
left mine for 2 -3 days.  Tighten the bolts and get some light grease - one 
lister recommended some John Deere stuff, I used Penrite steering box lube. 
It's specifically designed for old car steering boxes.  It's pretty thick, 
so I heated it in order to get it to flow so I could get it into the box. 
It's been probably close to 10 years, and the box hasn't leaked yet, and the 
steering works just fine.

I'm so impressed with that stuff, that it went into the BJ8's steering box 
and idler upon assembly at the restoration a couple of years ago.  I would 
try this before you start tearing things apart.

Sorry, I can't help with the wheel / noise problem.  I know from personal 
experience that Dayton has had some problems the last couple years, but 
don't know of any problems like you have.  Apparently the MWS wheels are 
much better at this time - I'm told that they come out of the box nice and 
round.

Earl Kagna
Victoria, B.C.
BJ8, BT7 tri-carb

-----Original Message----- 
From: Tom Felts
Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2015 1:53 PM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: [Healeys] Steering Box and Wire Wheel Questions--BJ8

I have recently been hearing a "pop pop" noise coming from the right front 
suspension area when making a slow full right turn.

I do not hear it when making a full turn when the car is on concrete and is 
not moving.

I noted this same condition on my E-Type also.

I have Dayton wire wheels on both and relatively new hubs.

It is not the spinners or a wheel bearing or worn splines.

Several listers on the Jag list have said they had the same problem and 
found that the quality of the Dayton's had gone down and they did not fit 
flush with the hub--thus causing the noise while making a sharp turn.  Their 
solution was to get new hubs and Dunlop wires and that solved their problem.

Question---------have any of you had this problem and if so what did you 
determine was the issue and how did you solve it?

Question #2------The BJ8 steering box is leaking oil (assume bad oil seal) 
and the dust excluder has disintegrated.  Is it possible to replace these 2 
items while the steering box is still in the car by removing the lower nut 
and steering lever?

Thanks for any help.

tom
65 BJ8