Volvo Steering Box

[Deleted]

I read on the old board that Greg Webb fit a ZF power steering box from a Volvo 164 to his P5 as a replacement for a leaking Rover power steering box. I have found two types of boxes at my local used parts suppliers: one with a 2.75" bolt separation and the other with a 3.5" bolt separation. I am wondering which one to buy.

If the world was fair, the 3.5" could be a direct bolt on replacement as the subframe holes are also separated by 3.5" but my feeling is that it is unlikely that the alignment would be correct. I read the previous post and Greg used one existing subframe hole and then drilled another.

Does anyone have any recommendations which box would be a better option? Has anyone else tried to fit a ZF box to their Rover?

The reason that I am considering the Volvo box is that they are significantly cheaper than buying a rebuilt Rover box and they should never leak.

[stantondavies]

I would advocate using, as I have done, JRW's steering box with modified seals which don't leak. Then there is no hassle of trying to fit a 'foreign' box not intended for the Rover. And then assuring the insurance company that the modification is safe, and that your premium shouldn't be loaded. It just makes sense in these circumstances to stay original in my view.

[Deleted]

Interesting - I didn't know that it was possible to buy a Steering box that doesn't leak. JRW do an altered box? I thought the problem was in the internal design, not in the seal.
Has anyone used one of these boxes, and how have they performed?