Steering box is leaking....

[RBuffordTJ]

Searched but didn't find anything on this topic so here we go. My steering gear box is leaking bad, it will empty the power steering pump in two days. It's leaking around the seal on the bottom where the pitman arm hooks up. Questions:

1. Would it be better to replace the box, it's got high miles but there is no noise from it and it steers great

or

2. Should I look for that seal (any hints as to where) and keep on wheelin' down the road?

Just looking for opinions from those who have tackled this problem. Thanks in advance guys/gals.

Rick in Orlando

 

[Bully Bob]

"-----better to replace the box? it's got high miles but there is no noise from it ---"

Noise usually comes fr. the pump....& that noise is caused by runn'n it out of fluid. (fix box or you'll be need'n a pump as well) /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Check me on this but I think that seal is installed on the inside..?

Tricky to re-build....but doable. (No sense just replacing the seal if it has to be dis-assembled)

More $$ but faster to just repl. it with a re-built one.

 

[Evil_Glen]

I had replaced the steering box in my truck because it was completely shot. it was ******* fluid out of everyseal and it had no power steering when i turned right. It is a joke to replace the box. In your situation i would recommend buying a reseal kit and doing that (if you know what you are doing). It will save you a few hundred for a brandnew box.

 

[Bully Bob]

evil glen says;

"----I had replaced the steering box in my truck because it was completely shot----"

"----It is a joke to replace the box---"

HUH.....!! :huh: Which is it...? :-B

Actually some (re-built) boxes are pretty reasonable & have a lifetime guarantee...check AZ & the like

 

[Yardape]

When you guys say your steering box is done and needs replacing what actually happens to it? I have had two Broncos and one 89 F-250 and all three have very loose steering. Like I can turn the wheel 1/4 turn (no kidding) either way without any response. A three are exactly the same, are the steering boxes gone in each of them? I want to replace the steering box in my Bronco but would hate to spend the 300 bucks and that not be the problem.

 

[RBuffordTJ]

Yardape

My problem is the SEAL is leaking fluid onto the ground. Yours sounds like you need to adjust the steering lash to take the play out of it. There is an adjustment on the outside of the box (on mine it's on top and easy to see) that looks like a nut with a ***** in the center. Loosen the nut then turn the center '*****' to adjust the lash, they say only do a quarter turn at a time then test the play in the wheel. In 9 out of 10 people I know this fixed the play problem in the steering wheel.

Bully Bob

"Noise usually comes fr. the pump....& that noise is caused by runn'n it out of fluid. "

I said it has NO noise, or grinding from the gear box. It is working perfectly EXCEPT for squirting fluid onto the ground, the pump is fine, the gear box is leaking from the bottom seal. I was just wondering if it was worth replacing that one seal or should I do the whole box. The pump is almost brand new and has NO issues at all.

Evil_Glen

In your situation i would recommend buying a reseal kit and doing that (if you know what you are doing). It will save you a few hundred for a brandnew box.

I don't know what I'm doing on this job, but I'm open to trying. I can get a whole new box at AutoZone (with a lifetime guarantee) for $150.00.......decisions, decisions, decisions.

I'm glad to get some advise here...keep it comin'

Rick in Orlando

 

[Yardape]

I assumed that ajustment was the thing to do but as I discovered it did not fix my problem, only made it worse. If anyone out there does touch this ***** make sure you count the turns so you can put it back. I had terrible play in my steering, Then adjusting the ***** made the steering stiffer. Which felt better at first. With the larger tires amplifying things, it made for quite an adventure trying to drive down the road, especially down hill. instead of the steering returning to the straight postion while driving the wheels would stay where they were steered no matter how hard you were on the throttle. That was fun....

 

[Bully Bob]

When you guys say your steering box is done and needs replacing what actually happens to it? I have had two Broncos and one 89 F-250 and all three have very loose steering. Like I can turn the wheel 1/4 turn (no kidding) either way without any response. A three are exactly the same, are the steering boxes gone in each of them? I want to replace the steering box in my Bronco but would hate to spend the 300 bucks and that not be the problem.

Unless your steering system, after the pitman arm is "shot".....it's your box..!

Go with that AZ one for $150

Yardape

There is an adjustment on the outside of the box (on mine it's on top and easy to see) that looks like a nut with a ***** in the center. Loosen the nut then turn the center '*****' to adjust the lash, they say only do a quarter turn at a time then test the play in the wheel. In 9 out of 10 people I know this fixed the play problem in the steering wheel.

This is a no-no......that ***** is for "pre-load" during assembly only..!

 

Damage or danger will occur (see above post)

 

[RBuffordTJ]

Interesting, I have seen that lash adjustment fix that very problem many times with no side effects like your describing. But hey...when in doubt, leave it alone.

 

[BLADE262US]

Definately change it out any of the F150/F250 ones will work and if I remember right the rangers and bronco 2 use the same box so that should open up your search options , Drop pitman arms are rough on them its goona happen . /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />