Steering Gear Seals
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Jackson, MS
Steering Gear Seals
Apparently, my 17 year old doesn't know how to read the letters printed on the top of the power steering fill-cap that states: 'CAUTION: DO NOT OVERFILL'. 
As a result, the steering gear box on my '93 F150 4x4, 5.0L is leaking a great deal of power steering fluid. I have to refill the reservoir every 2-3 days, unless I park with my wheels turned, which apparently pressurizes the fluid and will expel the entire fluid content of the steering system in a matter of an hour or so. My question is, am I going to have to replace the whole gearbox, or can I replace just the seal that's leaking? It appears that it's the seal around the output shaft (the shaft that the Pittman arm connects to) that's leaking. My Haynes Manual doesn't go into much detail about the steering gearbox, and neither does the Chilton's manual that I borrowed from a buddy at work. Has anyone had any experience in this area?
-Matt
As a result, the steering gear box on my '93 F150 4x4, 5.0L is leaking a great deal of power steering fluid. I have to refill the reservoir every 2-3 days, unless I park with my wheels turned, which apparently pressurizes the fluid and will expel the entire fluid content of the steering system in a matter of an hour or so. My question is, am I going to have to replace the whole gearbox, or can I replace just the seal that's leaking? It appears that it's the seal around the output shaft (the shaft that the Pittman arm connects to) that's leaking. My Haynes Manual doesn't go into much detail about the steering gearbox, and neither does the Chilton's manual that I borrowed from a buddy at work. Has anyone had any experience in this area?-Matt
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 401
Likes: 9
From: Brighton, IL
Fairly an easy but messy job. You need to remove the pitman are and snap-ring that holds the seals in. Easiest way to remove the seals at that time is put PS fluid in and start the truck. Move the steering wheel a bit if necessary and slash, everything comes out, fluid and seals. Replace in reverse order and fill to PROPPER level. There is not much more. A bucket cuts down on the mess.
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