Well I took the easy route and bought a Reconditioned steering box ($AUS390) and fitted it today. It only took a couple of hours but I have to confess to having some help in the form of a mechanic friend and a hoist. I would not like to attempt this job with ramps or jacks holding the car up. Just too awkward working in that position. We also took some short cuts which may come back to haunt me.

To detail the process if you are interested. First from the top disconnect the low pressure hose, then the steering coupling by pulling out the two SL clips (factory says undo the hex bolt). Then hoist the car up. Take the front wheel off, and disconnect the high pressure line. Disconnect the support strut (bracket end), remove the steering damper, and take nuts off the tie rod and drag link where they connect to steering (pittman) arm. We used a fork bar or a hammer to disconnect the ball joints, effective but I know not approved of. Then the three bolts holding the box to the side frame. The box then slides off the coupling and down around the exhaust. Then find out your reco box has the wrong steering arm, swap steering arms. This is may be where I could have stuffed up. Factory says a pin has to be inserted in steering box and steering column to maintain centres. We didn't and I am hoping we got it right. We then lifted the steering box back in onto the coupling and tried to put the bolts in. No luck, my worn out front subframe mounts (next job) meant the engine was sitting low and the manifold was in the way (its a V8), we had to jack the engine/ trans up to get the bolts in. Otherwise just reversed the disassembly and bled the system. I have only driven it a couple of miles since ( love that engine ) and everything is ok so far, even the pump is behaving itself now but it is early days. There is a detent in the steering box at the straight ahead which I doubt is in the right place due to our not pinning the centres , but we are getting full travel lock to lock so it should be close.

Next front springs, subframe mounts, discs etc etc etc

Regards
John