This is my first post here. I love this site and I've been able to glean many bits of info from y'all. I have a '78 F150, 300, C6, 4x2 and I'm having mucho power steering problems.

When I first bought the truck the PO gave me the steering pump he was going to install (he said it was new, but it came without the box - it was clean, though) and said he didn't have time to work on it. I installed the pump several weeks later, and did the "required" things (which everyone on here has suggested): new pressure and flow hose WITH the filter installed on the flow line. I thought I had the problem licked.

I bled the system, and then started the truck. I moved the wheel lock to lock, and continued to fill the reservoir. Then it started to empty, and I noticed a terrible leak. I turned off the motor and felt around the back of the gear box for a leak, but didn't notice any excessive fluid. I looked under the truck and it looks like it's leaking around the part of the steering linkage that attaches the gearbox sector shaft to the Pitmann arm. Is there a seal here that has failed?

If I want to complete the repairs to my power steering system I'm afraid I'll need to replace the steering gear box (because I sure don't want to rebuild it!).

My question is this: Am I correct in thinking I need to replace the gear box or am I possibly missing something else?

Thanks very much!! (Sorry about the longwinded message!!!)