I mentioned in another thread regarding abs sensors the need to address my steering box leak. Thought I would start another thread to make it easier to gather information.

I have heard that the splined shaft on the bottom of the box that attaches to the steering arm has a seal that can be accessed without taking the box off the frame. It can be done by removing the steering arm and taking out the snap ring holding the seal in place. Then, turn the wheel all the way to the right will pop out the seal. Tap in a new seal, put in a new snap ring and button it up.

Is this information correct? It is possible to get a seal kit at the parts store and I have ordered one. Has anyone out there done the above technique? Thanks!!!

 

If the seal doesn't pop out (I never had one that did) screw a sheet metal screw or 2 into the seal and pry it out.

 

Now that I look at it closer, the cross frame is in the way to get a puller in for the pitman arm. I may have to unbolt the box to swing it down a bit to get access. Arggg....

 

Its not that hard to unbolt and remove the steering gear. I've done it twice in the last day. I just installed a Redhead Steering Gear box. 2 fluid lines, 1 bolt on the steering shaft, 1 bolt on pitman tie rod, 3 bolts on the side of the steering gear. The hard part is getting the pitman arm off the steering gear. If you use the loan a tool from the parts stores, get the HD one (~$90). The 15 dollar ones are not near strong enough to pull off the pitman arm.

The only thing that might hang you up, is if the steering wheel shaft is hard to get off. However to make it easier, unbolt the collapsible shaft under the dash and you can pull on the shaft like a slide hammer to break it lose from the steering gear.

If you are only going to loosen it to get to the Pitman bolt, i'm not sure if you will need to pull your fluid lines or not. I removed my steering gear completely and put it in my vice on the bench to remove the pitman arm bolt. If you have to remove the fluid lines, you might as well just pull it the rest of the way out to get complete access to it.

This is the pitman arm puller I used, all the other ones bent or could not get enough leverage to pull the pitman arm.
OEM/Adjustable heavy duty pitman arm puller 27170 - Read 2 Reviews on OEM #27170

The bolt on the top of the puller is 26mm and I needed a 24" breaker bar to turn it, don't forget to lube it up some so it can turn easier.. Also, the pitman nut is 33mm. I used a 33mm axle shaft socket from autozone (14.99)

 

BTW if you do what I did and remove the steering gear completely to put in a vice. clamp the vice down on the pitman arm that way you don't damage the casing.

 

It looks like I will be removing the box for sure. I already undid the lines and the pinch bolt on top. Not too bad, so far. I will be doing the rest tomorrow. I don't know if I will replace the box or just do the seal up the output shaft. I guess if the shaft looks ok and I can clean out the snap ring groove, I'll just do the seal. As far as I can tell, it is the original steering box, but the steering felt fine with no notchiness or weird noises. I just bought this van a couple weeks ago, drove it to my garage and lifted it up, so I don't have many miles of experience with it. Any thoughts on seal replacement versus new box?

 

I don't have any input as I've only replaced a box. Mine had a ton of play which is to be expected with 210k miles on the clock.

 

So, I went ahead and got a remanufactured steering box from Autozone. Cost was about $150 with lifetime warranty. I made sure that the warranty covered leaks, as well. My real concern about re-installing the thing is the upper splines to steering knuckle attachment. I fear that the pinch bolt area isn't spread enough for a smooth insertion as it wasn't all that easy to get apart. Any tips? Thanks!!!

 

Tap it on with something heavy that you an fit in that part of the engine bay. It really shouldn't take much. Also might want to use some WD-40 or similar product to give it a little bit of slickness.

Mine went back on quite easily. It actually went on too far and I had to pull it back up slightly to get the bolt through the recess.