How hard is it?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 101
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How hard is it?
Seal blew on the steering box on my `86 F-150 tonight.Was supposed to leave for a 160 mile trip Monday,but not with the fluid gushing out of it now.So,how hard is it to replace the seal? Can a non-pro do it,or are special tools needed?
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 230
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How hard is it?
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 09-Jun-01 AT 11:15 PM (EST)[/font][p]You can do it yourself. You'll need to rent or buy a pitman arm puller. You'll also need a set of snap ring pliers.
Remove the nut that holds the pitman arm to the sector shaft.
Remove the pitman arm from the sector shaft using the pitman arm puller. It is not necessary to remove the pitman arm from the drag link. Let it hang while you work.
Remove the snap ring.
Place a drain pan under the steering box.
Fill the p/s reservoir with p/s fluid. Start the engine & turn the steering wheel full right or full left. The extreme pressure should force the seal out & into the drain pan.
Replace the seal with a new seal. Follow the instructions that come with the seal kit.
Install the snap ring.
Return the steering wheel to the center position.
Install the pitman arm. Torque the nut to 200 lbs/ft.
Refill the p/s reservoir with p/s fluid, start the engine & check for leaks.
Remove the nut that holds the pitman arm to the sector shaft.
Remove the pitman arm from the sector shaft using the pitman arm puller. It is not necessary to remove the pitman arm from the drag link. Let it hang while you work.
Remove the snap ring.
Place a drain pan under the steering box.
Fill the p/s reservoir with p/s fluid. Start the engine & turn the steering wheel full right or full left. The extreme pressure should force the seal out & into the drain pan.
Replace the seal with a new seal. Follow the instructions that come with the seal kit.
Install the snap ring.
Return the steering wheel to the center position.
Install the pitman arm. Torque the nut to 200 lbs/ft.
Refill the p/s reservoir with p/s fluid, start the engine & check for leaks.
New User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12
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How hard is it?
Knuckles- i have a question for you: I did it the wrong way, the way the seal kit said, and took it all out, both seals, the sector shaft, and then attempted to get the bushing out, but now its stuck! Can you help? HOw do i get the bushing out? Thanks, mike
