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Re: Steering Box Oil Leak

Hi Margaret. When I fitted a "new" steering box (Early Ruby type) I used Penrite steering box lube. This appears to be thixotropic, and has less tendency to seep out over time. Steering operation seems fine. Might be worth a try before dismantling anything too far ?

I appreciate that it might be tricky to remove all the old lubricant first if the box stays in situ. I wonder if just loosening the end cover would be enough for it to drip out ? I refilled the box by temporarily removing the grease nipple and using an old gear oil squeeze bottle with its plastic tube.

Location: New Forest

Re: Steering Box Oil Leak

Margaret,
I haven't had one in bits for a while but I don't recall a felt seal there. The tube that takes the horn and indicator cables up the column has a compression type nut sealing it to the bottom of the steering box - make sure it's got an olive in and try a nip on that?

You can buy sheets of felt from Complete Automobist but cutting a seal could be tricky. If it's a very small felt, wrapping greased string round and round instead could work.

You say oil which may be part of your problem, I've always used grease and as John suggests a modern 'stay in' type oil could help.