Steering wheel Gear box......
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2019
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From: Florida
Steering wheel Gear box......
So, I have an original Steering wheel gear box on a 2002 F-250 XLT 4WD CCLB (225,000 miles) and have been redoing brake lines, Master Cylinder among other things. Looking at that box, I have had steering issues lately and see the hoses are starting to rust bad at the metal to rubber connection. So, there is one hose that goes to the steering wheel pump and it looks like that nut is gonna be hard to get at. Pictures to follow. The other hose goes to the lower radiator and is speed-clamped to another hose. If you have ever changed out your steering box, what would you suggest to help in the process of getting the hose nuts off their respective parts/pumps? The nut behind the wheel (steering pump I'm guessing) looks like it hard to get a good wrench on it. Would I have to remove something to get a better shot at it? Looking for some expertise......
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
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If you don't have flare nut wrenches you'll want to get some. Possibly crow foot. But if you're looking at substantial rust even that won't get it done, so you may have to just cut hoses and replace. The low pressure is easy, but you'd need to buy a new high pressure hose.
For the steering shaft coupling at the box input remove the bolt entirely. Sometimes you can wedge a chisel or straight blade in the slit. On some Dodges I've even reversed the bolt and crammed shim stock in the slit then tried to use the bolt as a jack screw -- it worked marginally but even hardened shim stock deforms under the pressure
For the steering shaft coupling at the box input remove the bolt entirely. Sometimes you can wedge a chisel or straight blade in the slit. On some Dodges I've even reversed the bolt and crammed shim stock in the slit then tried to use the bolt as a jack screw -- it worked marginally but even hardened shim stock deforms under the pressure
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 868
Likes: 84
From: Florida
Steering box, original 2002 F-250 XLT 4WD CCLB, which is the high pressure hose? One goes to the steering pump, correct?
Same photo. Concerning the two hoses, one travels to the Radiator and connects there? One goes to the Steering pump...
So, the box is 20 years old and since I am tearing into the truck, I wanted to replace it. There is a hose that connects to the steering pump on the lower portion of the engine block. What's the best way to change out that hose? The nut seems hard to get at, or at least get a flare wrench on it. Looking for some guidance. Thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
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If you think through it logically it makes tons of sense: your high pressure hose is running high pressure, thus it has crimped fittings on a heavier hose. It looks like that's top in your photo because I see the crimp behind the steering box.
Your return hose is low pressure and so just uses generic rubber trans line (don't use fuel line if you opt to replace) with hose clamps.
Access there looks pretty darn good as steering boxes go, honestly. Can you come at from underneath?
You may also be able to remove steering shaft and drag link (which you'll have to do anyway) and all but one frame bolt and pivot the box down a bit if that helps. Be careful not to bend the hardline but the rubber hose portions aft of the hardline oughtta allow some movement.
I wouldn't remove the hp hose from the pump unless necessary. I'm no help on EXACT specifics there except get creative if you must get a wrench on that nut.
If you're satisfied with your steering now I would NOT replace the box simply as PM. Finding decent new/reman boxes is difficult. If it already has a lot of play and you've tried adjusting it with no improvement, then you have little to lose.
Your return hose is low pressure and so just uses generic rubber trans line (don't use fuel line if you opt to replace) with hose clamps.
Access there looks pretty darn good as steering boxes go, honestly. Can you come at from underneath?
You may also be able to remove steering shaft and drag link (which you'll have to do anyway) and all but one frame bolt and pivot the box down a bit if that helps. Be careful not to bend the hardline but the rubber hose portions aft of the hardline oughtta allow some movement.
I wouldn't remove the hp hose from the pump unless necessary. I'm no help on EXACT specifics there except get creative if you must get a wrench on that nut.
If you're satisfied with your steering now I would NOT replace the box simply as PM. Finding decent new/reman boxes is difficult. If it already has a lot of play and you've tried adjusting it with no improvement, then you have little to lose.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,913
Likes: 509
Also you've ultimately got two lines running to your pump: the hp hose and a low pressure return line into the reservoir. It'll be painfully obvious which is which. The latter often just uses a small spring clamp.
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