The steering box leaks a bit, and it looks like it is coming from these holes. The loss is very marginal, not noticeable in the reservoir after months. It just leaves a spot on the drive way every other week. Everything above this point on the box is dry, even dusty, so not any signs of oil. What are these holes for? Is it supposed to be like this?

 

Weep hole for bad seal(s)

 

Here's the box apart/what's inside

 

The 3 plastic blue rings visible on the worm gear, left side, to the right of the splined tip.
Fluid leaks past those.
The visible outter rubber seal above the splines is only a dust seal too, it doesn't keep fluid in.
There is one large plastic ring on the rack, and one small o-ring on a plunger.
They are the only seals.
I paid over $100 for a rebuild kit.
When I gently put the worm gear back into the box, it fit easily into place...then I noticed that it had sheared a small edge off of all 3 rings...and they are not available outside of the kit.
No way I was doing that again.
There is also a large, round spring clip(visible in new parts bag, bottom left), and it is a nightmare to remove or install.
I've done several steering boxes, many engine rebuilds, blah, blah, etc, and I only say that to point out that my D2 steering box rebuild attempt was not my first time holding a screwdriver, lol.
That I bought a remanufactured box, wish I would have to start with, and that it is a sob.
If you could buy the rings individually, sure, but you can't.
My 2 cents, let it leak or buy a box.
Rebuilding is too big of a gamble.

 

Thanks, I'll let it leak. It's going on since I got the Disco two years ago. I hope I won't get stranded. The reason why I am concerned at the moment is the HOA. I'll need to wipe it clean from time to time and look for a good deal on a rebuilt box.

 

@Sixpack577 - I have found my steering box leaking from the lower seal. Started happening after I flushed and filled my power steering. Now the steering is really sloppy so I am thinking this is more than a seal.

I read this which seemed to suggest a rebuild is in order. Should I just buy a rebuilt steering box or try to do it myself?https://shop.westernpowersteering.co...ox-faults.html

 

The seal you see leaking is just a dust seal.
The actual leak point is above it, the 3 blue plastic rings on the worm gear. Fluid is leaking past those on to the inside of the dust seal.
I wouldn't recommend trying to rebuild it, from a cost and risk standpoint.
I bought a remanufactured box, and that's what I would do again. My 2 cents.

 

@Sixpack577 - here’s a picture of mine. Who did you buy from?

 

Yes, that is the one, above the splines, it's only a dust seal, it's not holding fluid in...as you can see, lol.
As good as your D2 has turned out, buy a steering box, and a reman steering shaft(Lucky8), and the steering will be like new.

 

[QUOTE=cvhyatt;718831]@Sixpack577 - here’s a picture of mine. Who did you buy it from

https://www.buyautoparts.com

They are $359 there now
I paid $279 a year and half ago, it was a little cheaper and on sale.
I don't know where to find one cheaper.