[Healeys] Leaky Steering Box (NOT from seal)

[Bob Spidell]

Thanks, Bob.  We were concerned about sealant changing the pre-load, but 
the steering seems fine.  I put a very thin smear of Permatex Aviation 
Form-A-Gasket on the shims, and my theory was tightening the bolts would 
squeeze all but a very thin layer of the sealant out from under the 
shims and it wouldn't affect the pre-load.  Of course, that means a 
small amount of sealant would enter the box, but I'm hoping it doesn't 
cause any problems (BTW, I used the sealant on the BN2's box, it's the 
BJ8's box that started leaking 'suddenly').

It just occurred to me that over 190K miles or so maybe the load on the 
plate caused it to 'bulge' out a little, causing the leak?

Bob

On 1/11/2016 3:03 AM, Bob Haskell wrote:
> Bob,
>
> Just wondering - when you added the sealer between the shims, did you 
> have to change the number of, or thickness of the, shims?  I would 
> think that the thickness of the sealer might change the axial pre-load 
> on the bearings.  May-be not enough to matter.
>
> I can't get to the disassembled steering box I have at the moment, but 
> I think that the thread holes for the front cover aren't thru holes.  
> So the only way the steering fluid can get to the bolts is if there's 
> a path through the shims/gasket or a crack in the cover.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Bob Haskell
> AHCA 3000 Mk I registrar
> http://www.ciahc.org/registry_3000mk1.php
>
> On 01/10/2016 09:57 PM, Bob Spidell wrote:
>> First thing I did.  Possible leaking through the split in the washers.
>>
>> Had same issue with freshly-rebuilt box for our BN2; drained box and
>> applied gasket sealer between all the shims.  Guess I'll have to try
>> that--was hoping for a reprieve.
>>
>> bs
>>
>> On 1/10/2016 6:19 PM, richard mayor wrote:
>>> Try tightening the 4 bolts.
>>>
>>> On Sun, Jan 10, 2016 at 5:27 PM, Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net
>>> <mailto:bspidell at comcast.net>> wrote:
>>>
>>>     Listers,
>>>
>>>     My BJ8 is leaving a (larger than usual) oil spot on the flattened
>>>     cardboard box that serves as a disposable drip pan and leak map.
>>>     It appears to be leaking at the 'cover' (Moss# 667-835), where I
>>>     know there is a shim pack and, possibly, a gasket.  I know
>>>     throwing Penrite or STP in there might lessen the leak, but I'm
>>>     wondering why the box would start leaking suddenly at a place that
>>>     doesn't experience any movement or wear?
>>>
>>>     Thoughts?
>>>
>>>     Bob
>>>
>>
>>
>>
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>