Sprung a major leak from the steering box on my ‘04 Disco 2 and decided to rebuild it while I had it off my truck. Took longer than I expected to dismantle it; can’t figure out how to get the large locking ring off the piston housing. Saw a couple of posts recommending drilling 1/8” holes in ends of the ring to allow grabbing them with pliers or a punch; tried that and broke one punch and eventually a part of the ring off in the process. Any tips, tools that have worked for others??



Ring I’m referring to.

 

Well as you will need to replace as part of the rebuild, just drill a few more holes and break it up unto less than half sections

 

Thanks so much!

 

There's no reason you have to replace the lock ring as part of the rebuild.

You likely need to press the cap it is holding in place down a little bit to allow clearance for the lock ring to come out. Once that is pressed down you should be able to get it out with a flat screwdriver.

Thats the same type of lock ring that holds the servo cap in a GM 4l60e transmission. Look at this video at the 1 minute 40 second mark.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_5lRls7UvzQ

 

He sure makes it look easy in that video…

 

Went ahead and drilled the old locking spring since I couldn’t pry it out. Have the replacement; what’s the best way to get the new one back in? Was thinking a piston ring compressor. It’s a pretty hefty spring.

 

I worked mine around with a hammer and a punch. Grease it up.