Land Rover Repair: pover steering leaks, exchange boxes, skilled mechanic

Question
Dear John,
I have Discovery 1, 1999. Power steering leak was noticed a long time ago. First it was from low pressure hosts and it was stopped for a while after hosts were tightened. Recently stronger leaking appeared and I found a leak from power steering box through the dirt excluder on the drop arm chaft. Mechanic told me he can replace the chaft seal without removing  the steering box from the vehicle and disassembling it (as soon as I find the replacement seal).
I am not sure that it is possible to do this way and if change of seal will stop the peroblem, but it is very attractive alternative for me since it is minimal intervention and no complicated adjustments will be required. Please clear, if this is possible and the right way to go.
The other alternative I see is to buy remanufactured steering box to replace the leaker. Could the replacement and adjustment be done on Gas Station by mechanic who has 5-7 years of general experience. Repair and adjustment manual for LR is available.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Boris.


Answer
That shaft at the bottom of your steering box probably leaks because the shaft wobbles from wear.  That's how they fail, and that's why they sell exchange boxes, not seal kits.

I suggest you fit a box because trying to change the seal will be an endless headache as it continues to leak a few weeks after you repair it.

There is no special trick to changing the box.  Any skilled mechanic should be able to do it.