Hey guys!

I have a 1976 F100 ranger with the 302 automatic. About a week ago my Power steering pump died so I replaced it with a a rebuilt Cardone pump. Worked great until yesterday i started getting noise from it again.

I found the reservoir dry and noticed steering fluid almost pouring out of the top of the steering box. Is this just a blown gasket of sorts? Im hoping to not have to replace the whole box. It leaks where the shaft goes into the unit under where it connects to the steering shaft.



Top of Steering box where the leak is.

Any knowledge or advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

The shaft seal is leaking. It isn't too bad to replace the seal. It can be done in place but is easier if the gearbox is sitting on the bench.
If you do replace the seal, listen very carefully! DO NOT try to disassemble the gearbox. There are four bolts that hold the steering shaft valve to the gearbox housing. Leave these alone, don't try taking them out. You will regret it the moment you try taking the shaft and valve out of the housing.
To do the job "in frame" you'll need to pull the steering column.
This is from member 77&79F250, this is for replacing the sector shaft seal (the seal on the shaft that comes out of the box) but the same info applies to the input shaft.
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 that's just slightly smaller than the OD of the seal and drive the seal in until 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.

 

do a search, there are lots of posts about this. Go to advanced search, type in steering search title only and in this forum.

 

Well thanks for the vote of confidence mike...we all know a new "Red Head" steering box would be the best and finial way to fix any leak or slop in the steering. But we all are not made of money.

Its done it before with the gear on the bench, but it can be done on vehicle.

Steering box input seal…piece of cake 30 minutes 78 F250. Try dealership OR……
Autozone part # 8520 $8.99 in stock Ford part # F3AZ-3E502-A .. Input Shaft Seal Kit
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.

Steering box output seal. 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 until 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.

The input shaft (F3AZ-3E502-A) & sector shaft (D7AZ-3E501-A) seal kits are available from Ford and auto parts stores.
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 .. Sector Shaft Seal Kit
Last dealer cost $29.41 List $43.71

So try the dealership first OR …… The on hand amount #'s might be off a bit.
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
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...+steering+seal