Can anybody recommend a good rebuilder for my steering box on a 1961 Mark IX?
I presume you have power steering, with the P/S pump mounted on the backside of the generator (dynamo)?
Jay
Hi Jay,
No actually, I have a Chevy engine in it. Long story buddy…
But my steering box is leaking like a sieve, and I need to take it off and ship it somewhere to have it sealed/rebuilt.
We have moved to the mountains of Tennessee and I can’t find my repair manual anywhere. I’m sure I could use some help on what’s necessary to remove the steering box.
Also, if you know of any place that does a good job, I sure would appreciate that info!
Hope you’re having a great weekend, my friend…
Jim
Hi Jim,
Good to hear back from you! Most of the Mark IX folks in the colonies seem to use Vintage Jag Works in Idaho, and that may be the way to go if you don’t have power steering. If you do have power steering and are using a “modern” pump to go along with your V-8, the original Burman box won’t handle those kinds of pressures… and that might explains the leaks? Let us know specifically what kind of equipment you’re running.
Thanks,
Jay
I don’t know what happened to the last post I replied to, but I’ll try to do this again.
One of the first things I did was get a pressure relief valve for the steering pump so that it would not go over 650 psi.
I used the shop in Idaho that you had mentioned in an earlier post. On my first rebuild, it leaked without any pressure on it at all. The box itself was removed, and re-fitted by Chic Nueman, owner of Road Britannia in Atlanta. Chic called me and told me that the car was on the lift, with no pressure on it at all, and it was leaking right out of the box after being rebuilt. I eventually sent the box back to have it rebuilt. They took their sweet time getting it rebuilt. I called up to see what the issue was and they told me that the box was finished and they were finalizing the bill. I questioned why they would be a bill. If I was told there would be no charge to rebuild it. This was by the owner himself! We have talked so many times we were on a first name basis, I was told to send the box back and they would rebuild it at no charge. After doing so, they seem to have forgotten that point! They shipped the box back to me the next day. I received an email stating that there would be no charge. I called to find out what had been done with the box, and what was the issue with it leaking from the very beginning . I was told that the shaft was worn and it would cost $300 to fix it. They sent it back to me without fixing the worn shaft.
So I said “so you’re sending me a box that will probably leak just like it did before?“. The answer I got was “probably“! I wouldn’t use them again if they were the last place on earth. So I’m hoping somebody knows of a better place to send the box off to, and also if anyone has pictures or diagrams of how to remove the box again. We have just recently moved, and I cannot find my repair manual anywhere. So any help with that sure would be appreciated!
I have to say this is a terrific forum, that I have enjoyed being a member for many years. I really appreciate the help and just wanted to say thank you, in advance…
The problem as I understand it with the Burman boxes is they leak badly
As you allude to, this is most probably due to worn shafts where the seals run on them
To the best of my understanding, there is only the following engineering solutions to this issue
-
if possible, fit a seal that runs on an area of the shaft that is not worn by the seal track
-
fit a speedy sleeve
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have the shaft hard chromed and machined back to original spec
I would expect a pro steering shop specialist would be well aware of these measures, so I dont know why they didnt discuss them with you.
I would expect the 2nd or 3rd options would cost extra $
Thank you, Tony! Those are excellent suggestions! It’s getting very hard to find someone that will repair them. We haven’t gotten one response in that regard.
Its my personal opinion that it will be almost impossible to find an automotive repair place that will do either of the last 2 options.
They just dont want to which is damm stupid
It does leave the owner of an automotive steering box in a pickle though
I know for a fact these procedures are undertaken on expensive hydraulic earth moving machinery
It may be the case it is too expensive to justify, but finding another steering box that does not have the same issues will be difficult to impossible
My only suggestion if you are mechanically minded is to take the box apart yourself, and examine it forensically, with many photos and a micrometer
Seal wear on shaft should be fairly apparent in my opinion
As you have nothing to lose, I would also put on my polite pants and ring the steering box overhaul guy and question him about my suggestions and see what he has to say for himself
As far as I know, they linish the shafts to get rid of seal tracks, but if a fingernail will catch them, that is not enough
steering box parts are a big ongoing issue for older vehicles
There was a guy making an adaptor plate to mount a Chevrolet box and was also making the arm with the proper splined hole in the middle. Really transformed the steering as the newer box had variable ratio and nice assist at idle. Unfortunately, he has retired and not sure if anyone is still making that kit or a kit like it. I had installed a couple of those kits and they really did make a nice difference.
Yes, I installed a Toyota power steering box in my International Scout
There was an engineer that “re-broached” the splines on the original Pitman arm
Its just hard to find guys like this. Around here they mainly contract work to mining companies, which pay like fire.
I once took a manifold with a broken easy out in it to such a gent
He handed it back to me and told me to f@#$ off
I went home and hit the easy out with a centre punch, which shattered it, and the pieces fell out
Try PS Systems in Miami, FL. (305) 474-8705.
They did one for my Mark X and I recommended them to another member who had good results.
When mine was done, they welded up the shaft and turned it down to spec.
Micah
Another business opportunity for you right there 
Admittedly probably not hugely profitable, but a lot of guys have worn out Burmans crying out for a solution
(I have a '96 Jeep Cherokee XK, which sold literally millions, and some guys on that forum are great fabricators, and its been noticed that sometimes their best designs get “copied” my major aftermarket providers)
I warrant most guys would part with +$1k or more to be rid of their troublesome Burman days forever 
My Mark IX Burman box was leaking 20 years ago. the oil was coming out of the input shaft from the steering wheel. I removed the seal on the body of the box and it was plain that there was a wear depression on the shaft. I bought a Speedy Sleeve as awg suggested and I’ve had no further problems. It was an easy DIY.
If the seal is easy to get at and you can get one of these thin walled S/steel sleeves give it a go.
Wow! Thank you for very much fellas!!! I really appreciate the fact that now I have some knowledge to go by, options, and alternatives.
I sincerely appreciate it and thank you!
Jim
No affiliation but found these guys when I was rebuilding my Mk2 steering box.
In the end I didn’t contact them because my box worked out fine.
Hi Jim,
Check out this thread:
Best regards,
Tom Brady