Power steering - rebuilding the box

G

Guy Engelsman

New Member
I have a power steering box that needs a full rebuild and every specialist in my area is afraid of it! Apparently it has to do with warranty issues now that Rover has gone bust. I tried to explain that the car was 32 years old and warranty had nothing to do with anything, but they still wont touch it.
I have found a mob who can do a P5B box but not a P6B. So we come to the crunch. Can anyone tell me if the P5 and P6 power steering box are the same???? If they are then it is all good. Otherwise was there another car that used it eg Jag, Aston Martin, Wolsley, even a Leyland truck for pitys sake! If I can supply it to the specialist as anything other than a Rover then there is no problem. :(
Any help is, as alway appreciated, I hope to get this sorted as it is holding up a rebuild, and the old bloke who did the last one for me years ago has since passed on.
Cheers
GUY :)
 
Hey Guy,
I'm pretty sure the P5 and P6 Power Steering boxes are different. The P6 at least, uses a Adwest system similar to a Jag but probably quite different again.

Brand new boxes do appear on ebay now and then, and I'm sure some of the specialists stock new ones for a reasonable price. Postage costs may be a significant factor though.

S & G Walker may still have one for reasonable price for example, if their sale is still on.
 
hi guy,
up on ebay is a repair kit for the power steering box item no 4616689576, it will be cheaper than postage on a new box.

ianp6man
 
Whats this nonsense about "Rover going bust". When I purchased my 1973 3500s which had "armstrong steering" I inquired from Yates Automotive Sevices Ltd (Specialists in British and leading European marques), as to the possibility of fitting power steering. I was informed that power steering was a viable option but the units would require servicing and seals checked as they were second hand in Auckland NZ. This is seems is standard practice. What is the Problem?
 
ICS can rebuild your P6 box - they did mine. They specialize in commercials and classic, so basically they'll take on most things and have huge stocks of spares. I sent them the section of the factory manual that cover the set up and testing of the box It's not fitted yet so I can't comment on the result - cosmetically, it is lovely.... Price? Reasonable £350ish. What I can tell you is in my case they needed to machine down the shaft as it was worn and pitted and was then rechromed to take up the tolerances. So not exactly a DIY job. and TBH even if it was just seals needed, I'd be happier having it pressure tested etc. I believe the internals are pretty much identical to later Range Rover boxes but obviously the casing is specific to the application. I have no idea why these things need to be quite as heavy as the are!

ICS Steering Specialist

www.ics-steeringspecialist.co.uk www.ics-steeringspecialist.co.uk
 
I rebuilt my own with new seals. It isn't really that hard and the proper Rover manual tells you exactly how to do it! Nothing was worn in my box though so it was just a dismantle/rebuild job. Seal kits are readily available but good luck getting the Pitman arm off! It is on a tapered spline. I had to take mine to Land Rover dealer who had the right kit.

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PeterZRH said:
ICS can rebuild your P6 box - they did mine. They specialize in commercials and classic, so basically they'll take on most things and have huge stocks of spares. I sent them the section of the factory manual that cover the set up and testing of the box It's not fitted yet so I can't comment on the result - cosmetically, it is lovely.... Price? Reasonable £350ish. What I can tell you is in my case they needed to machine down the shaft as it was worn and pitted and was then rechromed to take up the tolerances. So not exactly a DIY job. and TBH even if it was just seals needed, I'd be happier having it pressure tested etc. I believe the internals are pretty much identical to later Range Rover boxes but obviously the casing is specific to the application. I have no idea why these things need to be quite as heavy as the are!

ICS Steering Specialist

www.ics-steeringspecialist.co.uk www.ics-steeringspecialist.co.uk
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Hi Peter: Did you get the box reinstalled and, if so, how did it turn out?... My power steering box needs resealing, and to be honest, after studying the shop manual and reading comments like yours i wonder about my chances (as an ok shade-tree mechanic) of doing the job successfully. Talk in the shop manual about special tools needed, etc doesn't fill me with bravado. So, I suppose I'm willing to ship the leaky thing to the U.K. and back if that's what it takes to have it resealed/serviced by someone who knows what they're doing .... hence my question. Thanks, Steve
 
Not yet. I'm most likely to get Colin to fit it as he's converted any number of cars and if there's a few bits missing he'll have them. The problem you have is these things run at 1200PSI, so if there's a weak spot it'll be found. It's not really like the manual box where you just need to keep the oil in the case (tricky enough from experience!).
 
I couldn't find anyone in the U.S. willing to overhaul my PS box - so I just today sent it out (via the U.S. post office) to I.C.S. in Birmingham (as mentioned by Peter above). It weighs 40 lbs. A bit pricey in postage, but less than half of what DHL or UPS would have charged.... In the event it is somehow lost I do have a back-up plan - I know a guy on the east coast who has a spare box (but condition unknown) which he'd part with.....
 
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