Posted by Drew M. on February 29, 2000 at 17:52:38:
In Reply to: M37 steering box question posted by Andy T. on February 28, 2000 at 19:20:10:
Hiya Andy,
Hmmm, your problems sounds familiar. First off you should be ordering your M37 CD from Military Media pronto - at $20 - it saves you the $100 for the 2 main manuals. OK, I'll get off my soap box for now and get down to business.
The lower plate on the steering box is held on w/ 4 bolts. The plate has a gasket between it and the steering box and an "O" ring where the round colar protrudes into the steering box shaft. The horn wire runs through the collar up the steering shaft. These two seals prevent oil from leaking out of the s/b. Your problem is that the weld that hold the colar from spinning broke when you, um, er, strongly tightened or loosened the pipe fitting that contains the horn wire. Your options? 1. Buy a replacement plate, it comes w/ the seal, and bolt the thing on (smart way). 2. Re-weld the colar to the plate. Your leak is between the collar and plate. How do I know? I did the same thing w/ my old steering box lower plate when removing the pipe fitting. Lesson: HOLD the lower colar on the plate when turning the pipe fitting to prevent the collar welds from breaking and a leak starting between the collar and plate. If your short on $, I kept my old plate and will weld it for you to try out - you pay shipping though.
-Drew M.