steering box
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 51
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From: Sandy, UT
steering box
I was informed by my mechanic I have a leak in the high pressure side of the system, need a new steering box, pump, and hose. He wants $1000 to do it! It doesn't look that hard to do myself. Haynes manual isn't much help in that it says due to the complexity of the system to have a mechanic do most of the work. Can I replace these items easily? Anything to look out for with systems under pressure or anything? I don't know anything about the steering. And also where can I find a detailed diagram of the components for my truck? Haynes and Chilton seem to be a little vague sometimes. I need pictures. Its a 1979 F250 4x4.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
I would advise against tearing into the power steering box. I've rebuilt them before and unless you are very familiar with the internals they can be very tricky to rebuild correctly.
About the only parts still available for them are the seals. Hard parts have been obsolete for years.
I would also avoid the parts house rebuilds, they only replace the seals and hope they work long enough to outlast the warranty.
Red Head Steering Gear in Seattle offers rebuilt units that are excellent or they will rebuild yours if you send it to them.
Here's an illustration from the Ford parts catalog that shows whats inside the steering box.
If you want to tear into it yourself I strongly recomend the FACTORY service manuals. They're available in either the original paper version or on CD.
Click on the .pdf link to view.
About the only parts still available for them are the seals. Hard parts have been obsolete for years.
I would also avoid the parts house rebuilds, they only replace the seals and hope they work long enough to outlast the warranty.
Red Head Steering Gear in Seattle offers rebuilt units that are excellent or they will rebuild yours if you send it to them.
Here's an illustration from the Ford parts catalog that shows whats inside the steering box.
If you want to tear into it yourself I strongly recomend the FACTORY service manuals. They're available in either the original paper version or on CD.
Click on the .pdf link to view.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 3
From: Waterloo IL
If leaks are the only problem I would replace the seals yourself I did it on my truck. It was easy and very inexpensive. I replaced my pump too. Changing the pulley is kind of a pain but not that bad. If you are the least bit mechanically inclined at all I would do it yourself.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 51
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From: Sandy, UT
Okay, I think I will buy a rebuilt box and figure out how to put the components in myself. I should be able to do that. Thanks for the info. I appreciate everyone on here who is so willing to lend some valuable information.
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