Need steering box help.

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Aug 4, 2002 | 04:21 PM

Chaiyz

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New User

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 14

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From: Gainesville USA

Need steering box help.

About a month ago I was checking fluids and noticed my powersteering was low. I refilled it and then kept an eye on it and it was leaking but too faint to tell where. I recently replaced the pump so I figured I'd check the lines for a loose fitting. Once done assuring myself that they were in fact sealed well, I filled the powersteering again and checked it the very next day, I now see that it's not the pump but the steering box that's leaking and it's getting worse by the minute. It's leaking out the shaft that connects to the pitman arm. Now it's not even able to hold fluid at all. It streams right out and I can't afford to buy a new box.
Anyone know of anyone or anywhere that I can find a used steering box that I'll be able to put in my Bronco? Money is extremely tight presently and I'd be doing all the work myself. Also need advice on seperating the pitman arm cause I've helped a friend before and we never were able to get his off. Anyway, I'm nearly broke and very desperate. I need my truck for work, and need more work for my truck. A nasty situation I've gotten myself into here.

Appreciate any help anyone can offer.

Thanks

Aug 4, 2002 | 05:05 PM

Jimbare

all alone in the world

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 2,038

Likes: 1

From: oklahoma

Need steering box help.

if your truck is an 80 up, the steering box is the same as a 2 wheeldrive pickup.

Aug 4, 2002 | 06:40 PM

honney

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Joined: Jul 2001

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Need steering box help.

The leak is from your sector shaft seal. Talk to Napa, they should carry a rebuild kit, but whether or not it will fix the problem is questionable - if the sector shaft is scarred it'll tear up a new seal.

To remove the pitman arm you need a pitman arm puller, it's just a large HD 2-jaw puller. If it's stubborn you'll want to preload the puller a bit and give it a good whack w/a BFH.

Aug 6, 2002 | 01:45 PM

Pioneer Ford

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 152

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Need steering box help.

Napa does in fact sell a replacement seal for that part of the gearbox. I had the exact same problem on my 89 and tried to fix it with that kit. Just some advise though, be careful with the new stuff. It's a VERY tight squeeze and it's not easy. I actually ended up buying a new (rebuilt) gearbox from autozone. I saved a lot of time and it was suprisingly not very expensive, at least not as much as I was expecting. Good luck.

Aug 12, 2002 | 03:08 PM

75highboy

Junior User

Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 86

Likes: 1

From: near St. Louis USA

Need steering box help.

I replaced the sector shaft seals on my '93 Bronco just last week. Check out my progression [link:www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID39/5052.html|here]. If you're tight on money like I was, buy the seal kit ($15) and pull the steering box completely, then work on it on the bench. Keep everything VERY clean!

Aug 14, 2002 | 05:22 PM

jopey

Elder User

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 936

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From: Bay area

Need steering box help.

I replaced the sector shaft seals on my buddy's chevy. But they are basically the same idea.

I left all the hoses on, when I was done removing the pitman arm and the clip that holds everything in, we put a drain pan under it and started the motor, once the seal was out shut it down. put in the new seal. it was very easy. only took about 30 minutes tops. His has not been leaking at all.

I had to replace the box for my 78, only place that had it in stock was expensive, but since the sector shaft was broken I needed it. $350, I could have gotten it around $275 or so if I waited like 3 days....

Aug 14, 2002 | 08:25 PM

EMT_B

New User

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 5

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From: Benton

Need steering box help.

Thats really expensive on the gearbox. All the junkyards around here wanted to trade me my bad gearbox for theirs for 150-200 bucks with no guarantees. Believe it or not, but Auto Zone had a remanufactured one for only 179 bucks with exchange! I couldnt believe it. Check with them or email me.