Power Steering Box Aluminium

BabySunshine

New Member
Guys, the power steering box on the 1976 P6 is leaking. I took it to a steering specialist here in Australia and they tell me that because it is made from Aluminium they won't strip it down and rebuild it. Apparently the pressure testing they have to do could split the case??

I am wondering if these power steering boxes were all aluminium or if they came in steel also?
 
Have you checked the power steer reservoir filter? A little bird in the back of my mind is reminding me that if the filter is blocked ( not surprising after 40 odd years ) that it can cause pressurisation in the system, other can confirm or shoot me down as they wish.


Graeme
 
Aluminium? Given how heavy they are steel, surely? Similarly because they cheaped-out the shaft is machined directly into the housing rather than with a phosphor bronze bush as it would better off be.
 
After lifting one in and out of my car, I have to agree with Peter, is it really aluminium? I thought they had carved it out of granite then filled it with lead.
 
Thanks guys, I picked up the car today from this steering place. The truth of the matter is that they have never seen a P6 before and don't want to do the job because it all looks too hard. They said this to me.
 
At least they were honest. Avoid 'em!
I repaired mine, which is to say I fitted all new seals, and it was pretty straight forward. Getting the swivel arm off the bottom took a bit of effort, but apart from that there wasn't anything too scary.
Contact the Australian P6 owners club and I dare say they'll probably be able to recommend somebody near(!?!?) to you who could do the job if you don't want to get your own hands dirty. I suppose that depends where you are. Oz being a big place!
 
The truth of the matter is that they have never seen a P6 before and don't want to do the job because it all looks too hard.

Ha, I had this when I talked a car upholsterer mate of mine into re trimming Sparky. I was so please with the job that I said I would recommend him to anyone who wanted any work done, but he replied, I never want to see one of those b;*(^y cars again! Apparently, older cars are not easy to trim?

Richard
 
Probably because of the boxpleat. The Flat trim is fairly simple considering I stitched it back together having never do any upholstery before.
 
I imagine that boxpleat can be a challenge, but also on flatpleat it is difficult to stretch the covers correctly on the backrests.
 
The garage could always try a magnet to see if it sticks :p

I once went to a garage for a new clutch not in the P6 in a van left the garage all ok
driving along then bang the gearbox was on the floor no joke actually hanging down on the road so called same garage to recover me sorry not interested and not interested in putting it right, then the wife calls me why are you not at home yet you know we have had a holiday booked :rolleyes: for months now.
Like mrtask said you are very very lucky they did not start the job not saying all garages are bad of course not some are good some are just terrible
 
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