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Thread: Steering Box Pentosin leak

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Western Coastal CT
    Posts
    138
    My Cars
    E31s

    Steering Box Pentosin leak

    The seal on the shaft of the steering box on my '96 840Ci has apparently failed, as I am rapidly losing fluid. This box has 146K miles on it.

    I have located another box with 100K on it that is not leaking. Before having this box installed, should I have it rebuilt with new seals? I have no idea what the typical useful life of a box is before seals need replacing, along with any worn parts.

    Given the amount of labor involved in changing out the box, I am leery of simply having the second lower mileage box installed without having it reconditioned first. However, a rebuild plus shipping will likely run around $600, so it is expensive enough that I don't want to just casually have it done if it is really likely to be unnecessary.

    I am eager to hear from those of you who have steering box experience!

    Thanks in advance,

    --Steve
    SteveCT
    E31s
    F30 daily driver

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Austin, tx
    Posts
    54
    My Cars
    1997 BMW 840, 1995 850
    I tried, with no luck, to have my box off a '95 850 rebuilt. Seems that every rebuild kit the mechanic tried had one wrong seal and he could not source that seal separately. Ended buying a rebuilt one off Ebay for much less than your $600. No problems yet, and it comes with a one year warranty.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Japan
    Posts
    54,654
    My Cars
    11/88 E32 750iL+98 E36M3
    I re-sealed quite a number of M70 steering boxes, on most no leaks, one I had probs and solved it with new seals + liquid seal on the housing surfaces.
    Is there a kit for the 840 steering box?

    But at least the problem for the power steering pump kit 840 is solved, there are apparently no seal kits on the market but master6 has now one, "I now offer a DIY repair kit for the LUK LF-68 used in the e31 840"
    https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...Repair-Service
    Last edited by shogun; 09-11-2017 at 06:30 PM. Reason: added "power steering pump"
    Shogun tricks and tips for the E32 series are HERE!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Santa Barbara
    Posts
    3,462
    My Cars
    91 Dinan860 & 91 850 6sp
    Steve, let me know when you figure out what you're really doing.
    I'm not going to cripple a perfectly steerable parts car unless I have to.
    '91 Dinan 860 Stage III (new 6L engine)
    '91 Dinan 850 TT stage III (brand new engine) 21st Century Tech meets 18th Century Dinan...
    '91 850i 6sp (mint) (sold)
    '90 Dinan 750iL TT stage III (Guido - The Beast)
    '94 850 CSi The Detroit Auto Show car (restored to factory perfect) (sold)
    '96 850Ci, The George Carlin car
    ''73 3.0 csi, '08 535i, '03 X5 4.6is
    ...and a few other non BMW cars

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Western Coastal CT
    Posts
    138
    My Cars
    E31s
    Harold, I think you misinterpreted my query--I was simply seeking info about whether or not it was wise to put in a used box (i.e., yours) without having the seals replaced.

    That being said, I don't think you should cripple your perfectly steerable parts car-- there are other boxes available out there. I do however, appreciate your willingness to do so on my behalf.
    SteveCT
    E31s
    F30 daily driver

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Western Coastal CT
    Posts
    138
    My Cars
    E31s
    Shogun,

    Jay's kit is for the PSP, not for the steering box.

    S
    SteveCT
    E31s
    F30 daily driver

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