03-02-2020, 09:55 PM
This is probably yet another silly question, but what is the correct way of ascertaining the oil level in a worm and wheel steering box?
During the recent service, I dutifully topped the steering box up with SAE 140 oil to the level of the oiler. The car was then used for an eighty or so mile run on Saturday. Today, when I moved the car out of the garage to give it a wash, it deposited a gloop of oil onto my overalls. Investigation showed that the oil had come from the top of the steering column which the handbook suggests means that I have overfilled the steering box.
Its not a frantic problem, as there is always plenty of rag under the drivers seat of the car and it is not a problem to check the situation and wipe away any excess, but there is always going to be a point when I forget and I will get SAE 140 on my best trousers.
I don't remember this happening with either of my previous Sevens, but there again, I was probably not so fastidious (for that read OCD!) about maintenance. The whole car is in good fettle and as reliable as 'Old Nick' (one could almost say that it is a devilish good car (ha ha)). In particular the steering box itself is smooth throughout its travel and has slightly less that 1 inch of free play at the steering wheel rim and i do not want to spoil this situation by inadequate lubrication. However, I fear that I may have 'over-egged the pudding' so to speak.
The combined wisdom of the cognoscenti would be greatly appreciated, please.
During the recent service, I dutifully topped the steering box up with SAE 140 oil to the level of the oiler. The car was then used for an eighty or so mile run on Saturday. Today, when I moved the car out of the garage to give it a wash, it deposited a gloop of oil onto my overalls. Investigation showed that the oil had come from the top of the steering column which the handbook suggests means that I have overfilled the steering box.
Its not a frantic problem, as there is always plenty of rag under the drivers seat of the car and it is not a problem to check the situation and wipe away any excess, but there is always going to be a point when I forget and I will get SAE 140 on my best trousers.
I don't remember this happening with either of my previous Sevens, but there again, I was probably not so fastidious (for that read OCD!) about maintenance. The whole car is in good fettle and as reliable as 'Old Nick' (one could almost say that it is a devilish good car (ha ha)). In particular the steering box itself is smooth throughout its travel and has slightly less that 1 inch of free play at the steering wheel rim and i do not want to spoil this situation by inadequate lubrication. However, I fear that I may have 'over-egged the pudding' so to speak.
The combined wisdom of the cognoscenti would be greatly appreciated, please.