Anyone have experience (hopefully positive) with sending their steering box out for a rebuild?

I have my engine out for rebuild (no. 2!!!), and at over 280K, thought it may be a good time to get the old, leaky steering box rebuilt. Don't want to take that on myself. I did read an old post on here talking about an outfit called REM Steering in CA - but I cannot find anything on them.

Thanks in advance!

 

I want to know that too. My box is leaking a bit and the truck disabled due to engine failure - time to get the box rebuilt.

 

I talked to a company called Straight Line Steering in San Jose, CA. - they also have a location in SoCal. They can do it with a 2 week turn around. Pricing $300 to $500. Taking the box to them tomorrow. I’ll update the thread with results.

 

The Workshop Manual has step by step instructions, for those DIYers. Parts kits are available. Takes a bit of touch.

 

Some of the seals(the teflon ones?) I've heard are a PITA to get right DIY.

 

Took on the rebuild myself not long ago on my ‘03. My third Disco and have wrenched on all of them, including an entire engine replacement, so not much I won’t attempt. I’ll NEVER take on rebuilding a steering box again! Very much worth a few hundred bucks if you can get someone experienced to take care of it. Ordered the rebuild kits, disassembled the box. First issue, they are like some kind of brain teaser puzzle; all these worm gears, gaskets and races that fit together very precisely. Finally get it apart and cleaned; then second issue. Rebuild kit was correct item number, but 3 of the Teflon gaskets were the wrong diameter. They are a PITA to reinstall anyway, but I couldn’t tell they were misfits until I struggled with them for an hour and finally measured them. Supplier said “oh yeah, for some reason that’s been an issue…”. Dead in the water for a couple of days waiting for replacements. Finally got everything back together and installed in the truck and THIRD issue, steering was all out of whack and would only turn left. When I reassembled the box, I oriented the worm gear too far in one direction. Had to take the box out again, which is a messy job with all the steering fluid, disassembled it AGAIN, reoriented the worm gear, put it back in, and now my steering wheel is off center! Pulling it partially out again this weekend to correct the orientation of the steering shaft (too far off to adjust at the steering linkage), so that will be time number THREE…

Just pay someone to do it right and you’ll come out WAY ahead in the end!

 

Thanks for the input.

Dropped it off at Straight Line Steering in San José, CA. Seemed like a very legit shop. Picked it up a week later for $450. Looks good? Installing next week with a new column and PS fluid tank from Rimmer Bros. Will advise.

 

Anyone know how to take play out of the steering box? Mine isn’t leaking but it is loose.

 

The workshop manual describes adjustments, including how tight the follower is on the worm gear. You might need to buy a new seal set screw in order to make the adjustment. I don't remember the exact sequence of steps.

 

Just pay someone to do it right and you’ll come out WAY ahead in the end![/QUOTE]

i was intimidated but a trans rebuild but not any more 🤣🤣