Cortina MK1 steering box oil seal.

[1970 cortina GT]

I’m leaking oil out of my steering box , running down the drop arm, I see there is an oil seal just above where the drop arm bolts on. Does anyone know if this seal can be changed without removing the steering box? Looks like a pretty big job if it needs to come out. Thanks.

[peteleo]

Fairly easy to change. Disconnect the traverse bar from the s/box drop arm.
After removing the nut, remove the s/box arm with the aid of a puller or what i do is, place a 3' bar about an 1" wide against the inner section of the arm and hit the bar with a hammer. Pry seal off with a small screw driver.
Check that the shaft is tight or very little play in the bushing otherwise a new seal won't fix the leak.

[1970 cortina GT]

Thanks Pete, I’ll give it a try once Canada Post gets back to work.

[Dave C]

Although I have an Anglia, I replaced the seal with no issues.
The oil was also leaking from the end cover where the shims are and running down the box onto the drop arm.
I removed the cover and shims and a light smear of gasket sealer...no more leaks.

[1970 cortina GT]

I too had a slight leak from the top and I made a gasket but I think I may have changed the spacing now I think about it, I’ll remove it and do the same Dave, thanks.