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Guys,
I have mentioned quite recently the fact my ZF steering box over the past 10 years or so has leaked slightly after a run and leaving the
car for a few days in the garage. Just a small circle of oil every time. I have presumed it was from the bottom seal and after all it is 57 years old.
Now for my obvious lack of experience, of these boxes. I read recently on Phil's thread from memory his comments on the ZF and also Jack's comments which I have now found so very useful.
1). For 47 years I have checked my ZF steering box oil level and as mentioned above have had to make sure I replenished it every 3 months or so after these leaks.
2). I know now its stupid, but for all these years I replenished the missing oil with my front wheels straight ahead. When you look down into the filler hole you see a round flat steel type washer that almost stops free delivery of oil and you no real indication of the level.
3). When I asked Jack how do you drain the old oil ( its never been drained or fully replaced in 57 years ) and there is no bottom drain hole, he wrote back and advised suction it out.
4). I thought how can I do that, there is no room to get a pipe into the hole. I then using a medical syringe and a extension pipe with a small diameter length on it to reach the bottom was still perplexed!
5). So I looked at the schematic in my workshop manual and no specific info on how to drain is given in the 356A supplement. Suddenly I had one of those weird moments of clarity! I went to steering wheel and turned it nearly full lock. Low and behold the filler hole was clear of worm and peg obstruction!!
6). I then suctioned out the blackest SAE 90 gear oil from the box and replaced it with new oil.
7). Now guys, ever since I topped it up to the level they advise it had run with no leaks what so ever!! This has really surprised me and I have waited some to tell you this.
I want to thank Jack particularly for his advice. Maybe some other person lacking something like me, has tried to fill it with wheels straight ahead
Maybe lucky the seal is okay, I do not want the job of stripping it down.
Roy
I have mentioned quite recently the fact my ZF steering box over the past 10 years or so has leaked slightly after a run and leaving the
car for a few days in the garage. Just a small circle of oil every time. I have presumed it was from the bottom seal and after all it is 57 years old.
Now for my obvious lack of experience, of these boxes. I read recently on Phil's thread from memory his comments on the ZF and also Jack's comments which I have now found so very useful.
1). For 47 years I have checked my ZF steering box oil level and as mentioned above have had to make sure I replenished it every 3 months or so after these leaks.
2). I know now its stupid, but for all these years I replenished the missing oil with my front wheels straight ahead. When you look down into the filler hole you see a round flat steel type washer that almost stops free delivery of oil and you no real indication of the level.
3). When I asked Jack how do you drain the old oil ( its never been drained or fully replaced in 57 years ) and there is no bottom drain hole, he wrote back and advised suction it out.
4). I thought how can I do that, there is no room to get a pipe into the hole. I then using a medical syringe and a extension pipe with a small diameter length on it to reach the bottom was still perplexed!
5). So I looked at the schematic in my workshop manual and no specific info on how to drain is given in the 356A supplement. Suddenly I had one of those weird moments of clarity! I went to steering wheel and turned it nearly full lock. Low and behold the filler hole was clear of worm and peg obstruction!!
6). I then suctioned out the blackest SAE 90 gear oil from the box and replaced it with new oil.
7). Now guys, ever since I topped it up to the level they advise it had run with no leaks what so ever!! This has really surprised me and I have waited some to tell you this.
I want to thank Jack particularly for his advice. Maybe some other person lacking something like me, has tried to fill it with wheels straight ahead
Maybe lucky the seal is okay, I do not want the job of stripping it down.Roy
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