this is becoming the toughest job I've ever attempted...

OK so my 2001 F250 was leaking power steering fluid from the lower portion of the gearbox (where the pitman arm attaches).

I found a thread on this forum where it showed how you could change the seals out WITHOUT taking the gearbox out.

So I got the pitman arm off with a heavy duty puller. Then I scraped out the 1st rubber seal hoping to reveal a snap ring behind it. Well, the seal is 99% scraped off, but there is not evidence of a snap ring. It does seem like there is some metallic ring holding another rubber seal in behind it. But again, I can't find the little open spots that you put your snap ring pliers in to get snap rings out.

HOW DO I GET THIS METALLIC THINGY OUT????

has anyone run into this before?

I already broke a small drill bit trying to drill it out (which I may resume tmrw if I can't get a better idea).

It just doesn't seem like the best way to go about it.

any help is much appreciated! Thanks, Nate

 

Interesting problem. If is that much of a pain, maybe just pull the box and slap it on work bench. Sorry that I cannot be of more help.