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Steering box rebuild?

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Old Apr 22, 2014 | 01:33 PM
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Steering box rebuild?

My steering box is pissing out the steering column shaft input. I have heard these can be rebuilt is it easy to do? Anyone done one could just that one seal be replaced without removing from the truck? Any how to guides or am I better off grabbing one out if a junk yard (78 f150 2wd)
 
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Old Apr 22, 2014 | 01:59 PM
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What are using for the fill? 90 wt?

Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup
 
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Old Apr 22, 2014 | 03:50 PM
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Was using regular power steering fluid tried that stop leak fluid no luck
 
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Old Apr 22, 2014 | 03:54 PM
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I'm assuming power steering, correct?
Yes, the input shaft seal can be replaced 'in truck' but it's easier with the gear out. Even with the gear in it's not all that bad.
Remove the steering column. The first "seal" you see is not a seal, it's actually a dust boot to keep dirt out.
Get a center punch, awl or nail and punch a hole in the dust boot and collapse the boot, you can then pry the boot out. Below that is a snap ring that you'll have to remove.
Once the snap ring is out, punch a hole in the seal like you did for the dust boot. You'll need to do this twice, 180° apart. Then get two sheet metal screws and screw them in the seal. Now use a screwdriver under the screws to pry the seal out. Once it's out, there is a spacer that comes out. Under the spacer is another seal. Repeat the process and remove the second seal.
Once all the seals are out, you can install the new ones. Use a deep socket or piece of pipe to install the new ones in reverse order.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2014 | 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Scoop531
Was using regular power steering fluid tried that stop leak fluid no luck
Use type F transmission fluid, not power steering fluid.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2014 | 03:58 PM
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Also, this is important!
Under no circumstances try to disassemble the steering gear. You'll regret it in very short order.
Unless you know what you're doing and have done this before, it's pretty much guaranteed that you'll reassemble it incorrectly leading to some very exciting rides down the road.
 
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Old Apr 22, 2014 | 08:09 PM
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Here you go, Out put seal...

If you do end up replacing the seals, it's fairly easy to do. I've done it before with the gear on the bench but I think it can be done on vehicle.
Remove the pitman arm from the sector shaft, then there's a snap ring that needs to be removed. Once that's out of the way there is a washer, then a seal, then another washer and another seal.
Remove the first washer exposing the first seal. Take a sharp center punch and pierce the seal, screw in a sheet metal screw and pry the seal out. You can do two screws 180 degrees apart too.
Once the first seal is out, remove the second washer and repeat the process.
To replace the seals, apply a thin coating of grease to the inner lip of the seal and a thin coat of sealer to the outside diameter of the seal (I like No. 2 Permatex non-hardening).
Slide the seal over the shaft and take a deep socket thats just slightly smaller than the OD of the seal and drive the seal in untill it seats. Replace the washer then the next seal, washer then snap ring.
Reinstall the pitman arm, hook up the steering linkage and that's it.
If you don't have a socket that's deep enough you can use a piece of pipe or tubing too.
Here's an illustration from the Ford parts catalog showing all the parts involved in the steering gear. The killer on these is getting everything centered. With the exception of the sector shaft Ford basically only sold the internals as an assembly.

Seal kit, steering gear sector shaft
Parts list #64, With gear ID SPA-AB, AJ, AN, BN, BS, BX, CC, CN
Basically this covers all 73-79 2WD F100-350 w/ power steering
D7AZ-3E501-A
Last dealer cost $29.41 List $43.71

Parts International, Farmers Branch, TX has 50 (972) 241-8730
Green Sales, Cincinnati, OH has 19 (800) 543-4959
Manderbach Ford, Temple, PA has 5 (610) 929-3683
Freese Motor Inc., Monticello, IA has 4 (319) 465-3541
Herb Chambers Ford, Westboro, MA has 2 (508) 366-8311

In put seal...

Steering box input seal…piece of cake 30 minutes 78 f250 autozone part # 8520 $8.99 in stock
undue bolt at rag joint
remove plastic cover on steering column(in cab) loosen steering column bolts(2 bolts to dash)
pull up on column and disconnect rag joint from steering box
drill small hole in dust seal on steering box & screw a screw in and remove seal
remove snap ring
drill hole in seal remove with screw
replace seal,snap ring,dust seal and reconnect steering column
 
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Old Apr 23, 2014 | 03:11 AM
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scoop 1 thing I found with these boxes is the shaft may be scored up with time where the seal sits on the shaft and stock seals may not last very long.The aftermarket seal kit I get from hydra-steer in Edmonton uses a spacer plate,this moves the accual seal down the shaft a bit to get onto a smoother part of the shaft. Just something to watch for. And is its that bad a re-engineered box from Redhead may be in order
 
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Old Apr 25, 2014 | 08:14 AM
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kind of funny but i just did this last night in the driveway. took all of 25 minutes and thats incuding looking for the snap ring pliers. just like mike said. follow those directions and your good. only thing is you wont need two screws. just pull the seals out after you punch the hole with the punch.
 
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Old Apr 25, 2014 | 12:31 PM
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Did you just replace the shaft seal?
 
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Old Apr 25, 2014 | 09:51 PM
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D7AZ-3E501-A (replaced D3AZ-3E501-A; D3AZ-3C538-A & C5AZ 3C538-A) .. Sector Shaft Seal Kit-Use with Ford integral P/S / Available from Ford.

Applications: 1965/77 FoMoCo Passenger Cars / 1969 F100/250 2WD & F350 from serial number D96,001 / 1970/79 F100/250 2WD & F350 / 1976/79 F100/150 4WD.

1977 F250 4WD from serial number Y20,001 (not a High Boy) / 1978/79 F250 4WD & Bronco / 1979 F350 4WD.

MSRP: $42.77
----------------
F3AZ-3E502-A (replaced D7AZ-3E502-A; D3AZ-3C538-A & C5AZ-3C538-A) .. Input Shaft Seal Kit-Use with Ford integral P/S / Available from Ford.

Misc applications: 1965/79 FoMoCo Passenger Cars / 1969 F100/250 2WD & F350 from serial number D96,001 / 1970/96 F100/250 2WD & F350 / 1976/96 F100/150 4WD.

1977 F250 4WD from serial number Y20,001 / 1978/96 F250 4WD & Bronco / 1979/96 F350 4WD / 1980/2002 LTD/Crown Vic/Grand Marquis.

MSRP: $29.50.

BOTH these kits can be bought from auto parts stores.
 
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Old Apr 26, 2014 | 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Scoop531
Did you just replace the shaft seal?
Yes thats all i replaced
 
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