Why does this Adwest power steering box leak when it is standing, not running

[@daviddawkins272]

Clever man you are. Just repaired exactly the same problem. Car had been standing for several months in storage with identical leak. oddly, it is a late low mileage model which is certain not to have had a replacement box or seals. Fixed it by re-seating original factory seal on a bead of some high quality rtv. Problem fixed. Thanks for taking the time to solve it. David

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Great!

[@MrRobmellor]

You have solved a twenty something year old mystery for me Mike. I had a box that was leaking for a while, so when the annual inspection was due I just steamed cleaned it off for the owner and it got a pass. However while the engine was out one time to do the clutch I took a good look for things that might not be tightened up but could find nothing. It always did carry on leaking mainly overnight but never on a good run or when idling. I often wondered what was wrong with it, and thanks to you Mike I now believe that I now know, but you are 20 odd years to late. A day without learning something is a day wasted. Once again many thanks Mike, Yorkshire Rob.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Thanks Rob - another one for the book!

[@gazzafloss]

Well, that's the nastiest thing I've ever seen..! Groucho Marx... One of the best instructional vids I've ever seen in my life, full assessment to successful conclusion. Thanks Mike, you really are a genuine chap, I hope the guy buying the 110 appreciates your thoroughness.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Thanks - this was really one for the record - looks like it was built with a cheap seal kit

[@jeroemsmith566]

Thank you Mike you have just found my leak I have put up with this leak for about 12 months only leaks when standing nice one 👍🏼🇬🇧

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Glad to help

[@WhosAGoodDogue]

WooHoo! - 37th!! (who needs 1st when you can be in the double digits) - I dunno about you Mike, but I'm sure as hell gonna be glad to see the back of that truck. I feel your pain with it, and I bet yer not done yet. Once ALL the jobs are out of the way and it's gone a week or so....it'll be back... Good on ye for staying off the electric soup. Aye, it's bloody expensive, and even I thought about giving it up (for a while). But, I didn't have the will power, and so started looking at other drinks aside from my usual whisky. It had to have around the same percentage, and cheaper. And of all things, I bought a bottle of Tescos own brand Dry London Gin (never tried Gin before in my life). With that, a cheap litre bottle of Soda water with lime, and despite making a few faces when first trying it, it's not all that bad. All in all though, I saved nearly a tenner compared to me usual brand of falling down water. I'll only ever buy whisky if it comes on offer now, as there's no way I can do it full price anymore. Hmmm - I suppose the next step for me when Gin gets pricey, is wine. One 75cl bottle is about a fiver and I can get 4 of them for the price of a bottle of Grouse. That's 3ltrs of plonk for the price of 1tr of whisky. But....the _next_ step after that could be me, sat on a park bench with a bottle in a bag, shouting at the pigeons and sounding off at passers by: _''EH? Whaddya mean ''buy a belt'' - what for...this string does the same job at holding up my trousers...oh, and they're not even my trousers...but yes, the pee stains are mine though...well, most of them.''_ - OOh feck - perish the thought! It's just me and the dog. No women, no relationships, not fettling with vehicles anymore, retired through medical crap and not really fit for bugger all. I don't smoke, I don't do any drugs (never have), I don't gamble, so having a few drams is about the only vice I have left. And I'll be damned if I'm gonna go into my grave squeeky clean and pure. The only problem that I can forsee, is if I get cremated - with all that alcohol in me system, will they ever be able to put the flames out? A good point is that I'll save money on the embalming - I won't need it, as it'll already have been done prior to popping me clogs.

[@alanhowatson3462]

That was a great find and could of been a very frustrating leak to find👍🏻 well done and great explanation, Jamieson time 🍻

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gshort4707]

I had a coolant leak on my Lightweight when I first got it, but only when very cold! When running it didn't leak. When not running it didn't leak, except on very cold (frosty) mornings when there would be a puddle underneath. Someone had fitted copper piping leading to the heater and I think the copper was shrinking in the cold. I tried tighting the hose clips which improved it but didn't fix it. I replaced the pipe with a flanged aluminium one and not had a problem since.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Bizarre!

[@jamescooper1827]

Just finally replaced the top seal and sorted the problem working with my daughter who is studying/learning mechanical engineering. As we replaced the seal she suggested that the top cover had machined faces to a reasonable tolerance. She suggested to put some sealant on the faces. Of course I said no no o ring needs to do it etc. BUT is she on to something here?? If the seal is OK under pressure and weeps on no pressure maybe something like a blue Hylomar could help as no pressure??? Food for thought I guess but ours is now dry and passed the strict Austrian MOT.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Problem is with sealer it can get sucked into the valves and pump - I never use it

[@StuartDrinkwater-r9g]

Hi Mike, have you ever done a power steering bleed from scratch/empty video? Had a search and can't find one.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Not really as they are pretty straight forwards - top up the reservoir and then open the bleed screw on the top of the steering box to get the air out - once the air is out tighten up, top up the reservoir and run the engine - keep an eye on the level! Turn steering to the left and right and check the level with the engine stopped

[@StuartDrinkwater-r9g]

@@BritannicaRestorations So it can't be done until the engine is clipped up and running? No gravity option in the short term?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Without the engine running you may get air pockets

[@vincentpoole7588]

Mike. Probably caused by straining on those bloody flaming dragon phat tyres ! Is red power steering fluid a good steel chassis LR rust preventative mista ? V.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

ATF is a good cleaner as it has chlorine in it

[@jamescooper1827]

Only just saw this and I have exactly the same, Do you think it is possible on a RHD to do it in situ as you have reasonable access to the top of the box! The leaky box is a new Adwest only 2 years old. Cheers and keep up the good work.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

You could if you are super clean and set up the back lash in the box correctly

[@jamescooper1827]

@@BritannicaRestorations Thanks Mike, It was the backlash that worried me. Will have a think and see if if is worth the hassle. I wish someone made a box for defenders that didn't leak. I once bought a new 110 in 2011 and it leaked from day one great!!!

[@davidbland8525]

N...n...n... 19..... i got that!! 🤣🤣

[@WhosAGoodDogue]

Crikey, a blast from the past....I haven't heard it since the 80s! (Paul Hardcastles Vietnam tune ''19'').

[@benharris2432]

Hi Mike - best supplier of recon steering boxes you’ve come across ?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

To be honest I buy new or I do them myself - Britpart used to do exchange units but I think they had a lot of complaints

[@ianhellyer1473]

So it looks like the seal was too big. I wonder if one of the sedimenter seals is the right diameter?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

I took a seal out of the OEM kit in the end - it mus have had an aftermarket one on

[@paayoub]

thank you

[@BritannicaRestorations]

You're welcome

[@GrumpsBarn]

Who'd have thought that getting your rubber twisted could lead to a leaky box.....:)

[@BritannicaRestorations]

loll - Have you go that drop arm off yet?

[@GrumpsBarn]

@@BritannicaRestorations the droplink on the Freeloader was changed a while back...however it's not back on the road yet as I'm currently waiting for a new rear slave cylinder for it, after the bleed nipple snapped 😂😂😂

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Sounds like working on Curtis's car

[@GrumpsBarn]

@@BritannicaRestorations Lmfao 😂

[@harveysmith100]

Very good, very subtle

[@mccoyreal1142]

I drive a d2 TD5. I am searching a cover seal of steering box. what 's parts number? I didn't search google.

[@lawncare-4u849]

Don't forget the off license if it's 5pm. !

[@BritannicaRestorations]

On the waggon for a while - getting expensive!

[@alan2804]

Hey Mike here’s a question. I fitted a recon steering box, flushed it, bled it but no power steering. Repeated the process, same. Refitted the old box, all worked fine. The supplier can’t figure out what the issue is. He pressure tests them once they’re re-conned. Any ideas?

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Might be tested for pressure but what about function? Could be a defective valve www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams/land-rover-defender-steering/steering-column-lower/worm-valve-adwest-lightweight_53719#11

[@alan2804]

@@BritannicaRestorations I did ask if they tested it for function but didn’t really get a reply. Mention was made of a bypass valve but the guy who rebuilt it couldn’t find what the problem was.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Probably didn't know. The valve is a tricky blighter as it is self-contained and serviceable as a unit only - The PTFE seals should only be changed if you have the right tools to re fit them There are shims in the PS unit that have to be calculated with some serious stuff - I never touch the worm seals/shims on the inside and make careful note on a box I am re sealing to keep the original shims to the original worm www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams/land-rover-defender-steering/steering-column-lower/worm-valve-adwest-lightweight_53719#7 Many muppets re seal but not may get the box right

[@harveysmith100]

More cheap 50p parts causing hundreds of pounds of repair bills if you can't do it yourself. When will we ever learn that cheap Chinese stuff is cheap for a reason. It made for a very interesting video though Mike, I bet there are loads of guys who have cleaned and cleaned the power steering box, given it a good run and cracked open the beers to celebrate only to be it tears the following morning.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

I have not seen one leak like that before - one for the books!

[@richards091]

Toyah said the same its a mystery.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Indeed!

[@GregPalmer2]

Bugger that is a good fix,would love to swap problems,my lt85 is leaking in the bell housing just reconditioned it not long ago,might have to try sticking a camera through the starter motor hole,l reckon it could be the shaft seal,got the kit from shop4autoparts.net.

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Never seen one leak by standing still, but not when running! Must be a cheap seal kit

[@secpac58chichi]

its not a landy if it doesnt leak - power steering fluid with leak guard will stop that - but then again it doesnt help the mechanic at $200 an hour - LOL

[@steveellerby9379]

Its not leaking........................... its leaving a scent mark

[@BritannicaRestorations]

Lol!