Steering gear leak ?
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
Steering gear leak ?
I've got a pretty bad power steering fluid leak ... somewhere. It leaks slightly when the engine is not running, and a lot worse when it is running. The reservoir will drain itself dry after a few days of sitting, or a few hours of the engine running.
Not to worry, I've been keeping up with the fluid level ... but it makes a heck of a mess under the truck.
I replaced the pump and the pressure and return hoses about a month ago. I drained the system (cooler and steering box) completely and refilled with ATF, since that was what the pump manufacturer recommended.
Replacing the pump and hoses doesn't seem to have made any difference ... something's still leaking badly. I concluded it was something in the steering gear itself, but I can't really tell where (and it wasn't obvious when I had the pump out, either).
Is there a likely source of the leak?
How difficult is it to replace the steering gear? Or is it possible for me to replace its seals?
Not to worry, I've been keeping up with the fluid level ... but it makes a heck of a mess under the truck.
I replaced the pump and the pressure and return hoses about a month ago. I drained the system (cooler and steering box) completely and refilled with ATF, since that was what the pump manufacturer recommended.
Replacing the pump and hoses doesn't seem to have made any difference ... something's still leaking badly. I concluded it was something in the steering gear itself, but I can't really tell where (and it wasn't obvious when I had the pump out, either).
Is there a likely source of the leak?
How difficult is it to replace the steering gear? Or is it possible for me to replace its seals?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Check the seal where the pitman arm shaft comes out of the steering gearbox.
Also check where the steering column lower shaft and/or rag joint connects to the upper steering gearbox shaft.
Both of those seals can fail causing severe leaks.
If the box is as old as the truck, and it's leaking, I would swap a rebuilt unit in there...
Also check where the steering column lower shaft and/or rag joint connects to the upper steering gearbox shaft.
Both of those seals can fail causing severe leaks.
If the box is as old as the truck, and it's leaking, I would swap a rebuilt unit in there...
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
Just clean it up really good with some brake cleaner, and check to see where it's coming from. They also like to leak from the cooler which mounts on the front of the crossmember. This just looks like a metal line coiled around(that's all it is really) but it likes to rust out on the bottom.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
WoomaHodal
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jul 17, 2009 05:35 PM
tractoman
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Feb 21, 2006 02:25 PM
superbepro
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
4
Jul 24, 2004 05:16 AM
