Leaking steering box
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Cross-Country
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Leaking steering box
78 f150 400ci 2wd xlt. Noticed power steering fluid was low. There are some drops off the bottom of the box. Looks like it’s leaking from the shaft coming out of the box where it bolts to the knuckle. I have no idea if I’m using the right terminology. At this point just replace the steering box? I noticed I can reach in there grab it and twist it. It moves a good bit before it hits. I can see the steering wheel moving when I twist it. Assuming it’s pretty worn as I do have some play on the steering wheel.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
X2 new Red Head or Blue Top box will fix the leak and the internal play you have. BUT.....It’s done before with the box on the bench WAY EASIER, but it can be done on vehicle, but 2wd makes the box close the fire wall and under ms and booster ='s PITA. IMO
The input shaft (F3AZ-3E502-A) & sector shaft (out put 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/powersteering
D7AZ-3E501-A.. Sector Shaft Seal Kit
Last dealer cost $29.41 List $43.71
So try the dealership OR ……
Parts International, Farmers Branch, TX has (972) 241-8730
Green Sales, Cincinnati, OH has (800) 543-4959
Manderbach Ford, Temple, PA has (610) 929-3683
Freese Motor Inc., Monticello, IA has (319) 465-3541
Herb Chambers Ford, Westboro, MA has (508) 366-8311
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...+steering+seal
Steering box input seal…piece of cake 30 minutes 78 F250. Way harder and longer on a 2wd. Try dealership OR……Autozone part # 8520 $8.99 in stock. Ford part # F3AZ-3E502-AInput Shaft Seal Kit…undo bolt at rag joint, remove plastic cover on steering column (in cab) loosen steering column bolts (2 bolts to dash) pull up on column (just a bit) 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.
For the OUTPUT shaft. Remove the pitman arm (with proper pitman arm puller NOT a 2 or 3 finger gear puller!) from the steering box output shaft (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. (you can also try just removing the snap ring, (after the pitman arm is off) turn the wheel to the left and start the engine, it will usually blow the whole thing out, both seals and spacers, and you better have a huge drain tray under it, then reassemble.) TRICK #2 remove pitman arm put nut back on a few thurn, start truck turn steering wheel, it will puke seal and fluid. Save the stack up of washers. You migth nee to reuse some of the steer wahsers.
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. 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 (out put 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/powersteering
D7AZ-3E501-A.. Sector Shaft Seal Kit
Last dealer cost $29.41 List $43.71
So try the dealership OR ……
Parts International, Farmers Branch, TX has (972) 241-8730
Green Sales, Cincinnati, OH has (800) 543-4959
Manderbach Ford, Temple, PA has (610) 929-3683
Freese Motor Inc., Monticello, IA has (319) 465-3541
Herb Chambers Ford, Westboro, MA has (508) 366-8311
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...+steering+seal
Steering box input seal…piece of cake 30 minutes 78 F250. Way harder and longer on a 2wd. Try dealership OR……Autozone part # 8520 $8.99 in stock. Ford part # F3AZ-3E502-AInput Shaft Seal Kit…undo bolt at rag joint, remove plastic cover on steering column (in cab) loosen steering column bolts (2 bolts to dash) pull up on column (just a bit) 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.
For the OUTPUT shaft. Remove the pitman arm (with proper pitman arm puller NOT a 2 or 3 finger gear puller!) from the steering box output shaft (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. (you can also try just removing the snap ring, (after the pitman arm is off) turn the wheel to the left and start the engine, it will usually blow the whole thing out, both seals and spacers, and you better have a huge drain tray under it, then reassemble.) TRICK #2 remove pitman arm put nut back on a few thurn, start truck turn steering wheel, it will puke seal and fluid. Save the stack up of washers. You migth nee to reuse some of the steer wahsers.
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. The killer on these is getting everything centered. With the exception of the sector shaft Ford basically only sold the internals as an assembly.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 91
Likes: 25
Thanks for the responses. Another point to mention. I have a new brake booster than I’ve been meaning to replace. I figured it be easier to remove the ms and the booster then do the steering box. As opposed to replacing seals I think I’d rather replace the gear box. Doesn’t appear to be overly complicated however I’ve never done one before.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,205
Likes: 5,797
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
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