steering box leaking
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 164
steering box leaking
The steering box on my excursion started leaking today pretty good. My wife called from home thankfully and noticed a big puddle of oil on the garage floor. Checked it out tonight after work and found that it is leaking at the pitman arm seal. I have noticed that up until this point it seemed like the steering seemed a little stiff and when starting it in the morning would take a few seconds before the power steering would kick in if you had to turn the wheel right away. So that being said is this indicative of a bad gear box or assuming the bearings are good just replace the seal and call it good?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 179
From: Phenix City, AL
Get the part number off the Pitman arm and Google it. That’s how I figured mine out. FYI, my early 2000 4x4 was 36 spline.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 102
From: TN
To the best of my knowledge it's a 36 spline in all Excursions 2000-2005 inclusive.
Here's the Redhead option, and there's also BlueTop
https://redheadsteeringgears.com/pro...spline-sector/
Blue Top indicates 2 different boxes depending on the number of bolts in your top cover:
https://www.bluetopsteeringgears.com...s/show/7319657
https://www.bluetopsteeringgears.com...s/show/7721847
I'm fairly certain you'll find the 36 spline with 4 bolt top cover on your, but verify since it appears a different shaft coupling is used on the 2 bolt cover model (again seriously doubt that the 2 bolt is what you have).
Pirate probably has better options depending on whether this Ex is a daily driver or other use.
Here's the Redhead option, and there's also BlueTop
https://redheadsteeringgears.com/pro...spline-sector/
Blue Top indicates 2 different boxes depending on the number of bolts in your top cover:
https://www.bluetopsteeringgears.com...s/show/7319657
https://www.bluetopsteeringgears.com...s/show/7721847
I'm fairly certain you'll find the 36 spline with 4 bolt top cover on your, but verify since it appears a different shaft coupling is used on the 2 bolt cover model (again seriously doubt that the 2 bolt is what you have).
Pirate probably has better options depending on whether this Ex is a daily driver or other use.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: SoCal
https://redheadsteeringgears.com/?ma...ion=vpf-search
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 164
If your Ex is a 4x4 I think they are all 36 teeth. You could actually count them, it's not that hard. The teeth are arranged in a pattern of groups of 8 or 9. Better yet go Redhead steering and they'll hook you up. I replaced mine with a rebuilt unit from Redhead.
https://redheadsteeringgears.com/?ma...ion=vpf-search
https://redheadsteeringgears.com/?ma...ion=vpf-search
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: SoCal
Well I can only comment based on my experience over many years as a hobbyist. First I have bought many so called "rebuilt" steering boxes and every one of them came with a lot of slop in them. They replace the seals and say they adjust the gears and that's it. Redhead hand fits new gears and recirculating ***** on each of their units and adjust the lash for minimal play. I don't know how many miles your truck has on it, but mine had over 200K on it when I replaced my steering gear. It was worn out with lots play in it. But it didn't leak! With the new Redhead box it feels like a new truck. Mind you all the other steering components where in good or new condition. Bottom line if yours is leaking and loose I would replace it. Should you decide to replace it,stay away from Oreilly's and Autozone. I don't know about a Motorcraft reman, but for the same or less money you can buy a part that has a reliable reputation. That's my 2 cnts.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 164
It is leaking but it didn't feel loose in the steering at all if anything it just felt stiff every once in a while, which could be the pump also. Tried to get it into my normal shop and he was out 2 and a half weeks... So I ordered a reman from napa, should be here in the morning. The redhead looks nice but the one from napa was $150 less. Hopefully it will not be junk, supposed to have a lifetime warranty.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: SoCal
It is leaking but it didn't feel loose in the steering at all if anything it just felt stiff every once in a while, which could be the pump also. Tried to get it into my normal shop and he was out 2 and a half weeks... So I ordered a reman from napa, should be here in the morning. The redhead looks nice but the one from napa was $150 less. Hopefully it will not be junk, supposed to have a lifetime warranty.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 164
In getting the box off yesterday I ended up having to torch one of the bolts off and a second has the head starting to round off. I took one to the local hardware store to match it up but everything they had was too short. It seems these are a little bit of an odd size, does anyone have a part number or the actual measurements of the frame to gearbox bolts?
