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Hufflepuff



Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 723

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
Steering boxes and attachments
A few hopefully easy questions for the hive mind please:

First, am I correct in the understanding that there is no bush in the steering box arm to drop arm on the 110, and that its just held in place by the big ass washer on the back?


Click image to enlarge


It looks quite wrong, are the tolerances really that big that a hole nearly twice the size in the drop link was needed?


Secondly, any idea what size the nut is supposed to be on the steering box? My googling indicated it was a 1 5/16" nut, which is a little bigger than a 33mm, and that a 34mm nut would go on. However, one trip to Halfords and £9 spent, oh no it isn't... Not on mine anyway.
Its measuring up around 35.1mm, so presumably its something in those old fashioned non-French systems? Razz


Click image to enlarge


I got it off with the help of the adjustables and a long length of pipe, that was one nut which was done up to VFT. I'd like to get a proper socket when I come to do it back up after a refurb.


Finally, can you identify what steering box it actually is? I was expecting it to be an "Adwest", but there are no markings of that name on it, instead being marked with "TRW"? Its from an 1989 110 v8 model.


Click image to enlarge



I'm not sure it matters that much, as I will be asking ICS (http://www.ics-steeringspecialist.co.uk/product/41156) to refurbish it, but it would have been nice to know for my knowledgebank, and some level of assurance that it hasn't already been replaced in the vehicles past.

Cheers!
Chris. 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW
Post #841975 5th Jul 2020 8:09pm
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2519

Scotland 
No bush on the arm, that’s normal.

How many bolts on the top of the box?
Post #842007 6th Jul 2020 6:49am
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Hufflepuff



Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 723

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
Thanks for the confirmation on the arm Retro. Its a 4-bolt steering box. 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW
Post #842011 6th Jul 2020 7:04am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3140

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
That is a strange 4 bolt steering box. To my knowledge, the Adwest 4 bolt steering box has the actuator lower on the shaft. I am referring to the part circled below.


Click image to enlarge


The 6 bolt box, Gemmer box has the actuator at the top side of the shaft, and that seems to be what you have. But of course I stand to be corrected, since you count 4 bolts. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #842033 6th Jul 2020 8:25am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3140

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Maybe referring to the bolts that attach the box to the chassis?
If yes, all boxes use 4 bolts. Need to check the number of bolts on the top cover of the box itself. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #842037 6th Jul 2020 8:28am
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Hufflepuff



Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 723

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
Ah yes I was referring to the chassis mounting bolts, I thought that's what people referred to, which makes no sense now I think about it as you'd need a different chassis design! Embarassed

Is this the end where you count the bolts?


Click image to enlarge


Everyday is a school day *ahem*. Maybe I'll go with a "its a 6 bolter".


So its a Gemmer box, thanks a lot for your help Dinnu. 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW
Post #842051 6th Jul 2020 8:54am
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2519

Scotland 
In that case I would just replace with a new 4-bolt Adwest box. I've never known good things to come of reconditioned boxes.

The box in your ICS link is a 4-bolt. They are a straight swap for a 6-bolt in terms of fitment to the chassis and the pipe fittings. The drop arm is different though so ensure your new/reconditioned one comes with a new drop arm and ball joint.

New Adwest boxes are still available from Magal Engineering, though unfortunately you have to buy them through Britpart these days Rolling Eyes
Post #842053 6th Jul 2020 9:00am
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Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3140

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Indeed, that is a 6 bolt, manufactured by Gemmer.


I have run both 4 bolt and 6 bolt power steering boxes on my 90. Originally I had 4 bolt, but I changed to 6 bolt when the 4 bolt developed a leak (I had the 6 bolt box laying around and was too lazy to repair). I read a lot of bad reviews on the 6 bolt box, but frankly speaking I did not feel much of a difference between the 4 bolt and the 6 bolt. The 6 bolt I had was laying in storage for almost 20 years before I started using it again. Did have some cases where the valve used to stick a bit and would practically have no assist. But only needed some use before it corrected itself.

So frankly speaking, I do not know which box is the better box. I know the Adwest is using needle bearings. I think I saw some exploded views of the Gemmer box and thought that is using journal bearings.. but never taken apart the latter box, so I am not sure, and I might be wrong.

As long as the shafts are not pitted and scored, I think a refurbishment should be good. But I also hear horror stories on refurbished units. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #842057 6th Jul 2020 9:21am
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Hufflepuff



Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 723

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
My Dad had a series box refurbed by ICS and was very happy with it (they even arrange pick up from your house), which is why I had chosen them. They've not got back to me yet though, but the day is still young.

I did not know the boxes have different splines. I've got a Gwyn Lewis drop arm conversion kit to the Discovery type, so I'm guessing from Retro's input that this won't fit my Gemmer box spline, which is a nuisance.

I shall do some pondering. 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW
Post #842060 6th Jul 2020 9:29am
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7664

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Yes, correct no bush.

Yours is a 6 bolt.

I would replace with 4 bolt and discovery drop arm with a tre in the end rather than a ball joint, such as gwyn sells. You will need a longer drag link to do this plus damper relocator. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #842084 6th Jul 2020 11:27am
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Hufflepuff



Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 723

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
I've already got a Gwyn Lewis drag arm and the damper attachement with the sumo-bar kit, so that should all be good.

What is a 'tre' gst? struggling to figure out what the acronym is Smile 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW
Post #842120 6th Jul 2020 2:57pm
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
Track rod end. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #842129 6th Jul 2020 3:51pm
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Hufflepuff



Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 723

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
Ah of course, obvious when you say it, thanks LRA. 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW
Post #842133 6th Jul 2020 4:04pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7664

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
If you have a ball joint such as the one shown on your drop arm that goes onto a swan neck neck that screws into a defender drag link. A discovery drag link is longer to suit the discovery drop arm which is bar straight to track rod end(tre). May be worth a check to see which bar you have. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #842137 6th Jul 2020 4:23pm
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Hufflepuff



Member Since: 25 Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 723

England 2005 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Tonga Green
Checking the spline of the Discovery arm on the Gemmar unit shows it is a match and fits on fine:


Click image to enlarge


so that's one less thing to worry about. The drag link was in the bundle of bits I collected from Gwyn, so I'm fairly confident that will fit as you were suggesting James:


Click image to enlarge



ICS have got back top me with their prices - they have assumed its a 4 bolt unit too (but are asking the question to confirm). I'll see what they suggest with regards to just buying a 4-bolt unit from them outright, or getting my 6 bolt unit refurbed. Assuming they are taking them to bits on a daily basis, I would hope they would have a good idea as to if either is more reliable than the other.

I have a slight desire to stick with what I have for the following reasons:

(a) Maintaining some 'originality' of the vehicle, its rapidly turning into a brand new vehicle with all the replacement parts

(b) The 6 bolt unit I have, despite being pretty dirty feels quite solid and well made. I don't have a 4 bolt unit to compare it directly, so that is maybe just as chunky and this isn't a fair point.

(c) Storage of unused parts. I dislike throwing/selling anything from the original vehicle "just in case", but storing it long term is being an increasing challenge.


I'll let you know ICS' thoughts on the matter - thanks again for all the guidance you have provided. 2005 Td5 90 XS
1989 V8 110 CSW
Post #842168 6th Jul 2020 7:15pm
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