I've done this successfully in situ. Remove the Pittman arm (don't know
if you can do this without disconnecting the tie rods, but possibly), then
use a curved pick or bend the tip of a screwdriver to fish the old seal out.
You can carefully tap the new seal in around the shaft, but you'll need
two long rods with flattened tips (or really flat screwdrivers--remember,
you have to work around the shaft). You have to tap the seal with one rod
while keeping it from rocking in the steering box with the other, working
around the seal.
There are two types of seals available--one is made by Chicago Rawhide and is
about 1/8" deep, the other (more correct) one is almost a quarter-inch thick.
The narrower one didn't work for me (it wouldn't bed well in the box), but
others have been able to stack two of them to get a seal. I got the deeper one
from Hemphill's Healey Haven.
If there's a groove worn around the shaft where the seal rides you may have
better luck stacking the narrower seals.
bs
***************************************************************
Bob Spidell San Jose, CA bspidell@comcast.net
'67 Austin-Healey 3000 '56 Austin-Healey 100M
***************************************************************
> Bruce -
>
> Replacing the seal is a somewhat difficult job. You have to remove
> the tie rod lever, then remove the top of the stearing box and remove
> the steering peg & roller. Then you can then easily tap the seal out
> and replace it.
>
> It's all a bit messy, an easier solution is to try using STP and see
> if that stops the leaks... if so, just stay with that.
>
> Regards
>
> Alan
>
> '53 BN1 '64 BJ8
>
>
> On 8/10/05, Healey Bruce <healeybruce@adelphia.net> wrote:
> > While cleaning the engine bay before installing my engine, I noticed oil on
> > the frame rail directly below the steering box, and also on the garage
> > floor. The car has had the motor out for about 18 months, so the steering
> > has sat mostly dormant. The oil appears to be coming from the bottom side
> > where the steering shaft exits the box. Question: How difficult is it to
> > replace the oil seal(s) on that shaft? Can it be done without breaking the
> > joints on the tie rod? Can one get the steering arm off the shaft without
> > removing the entire assembly?
> >
> > Bruce Steele
> > 1960 BN7
> > Brea, CA
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