Wednesday, November 24, 2010

How do you change the lower seal on a power steering gear box?

I'm trying to figure out how to change the seal that goes around the lower shaft of the power steering gear box. The shaft comes out of the bottom of the box and connects to the pitman arm with a big bolt to hold the pitman arm to the shaft. The truck is a 1979 F150 and it is leaking fluid out of the bottom of the box right around the shaft. I was told by the parts store that there is a seal that goes around that shaft inside the box and I was hoping that someone might be able to give me some instructions on how to replace it. Thank you very much in advance!!How do you change the lower seal on a power steering gear box?
Jack up the front end so that the wheels are off the ground, and/or enough room to maneuver underneath. Remove the nut from the Pitman Arm, make sure your wheels are pointed straight forward. Match-mark the arm to the shaft (to be safe, see later install instructions) and then remove the arm itself. You will need a puller, like this;

http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/lo

Autozone will loan you one with a deposit, or other stores either for free or a small fee.



Start your engine, and making note of the number of revolutions, turn your steering wheel all the way to one side or the other. The peak of the hydraulic pressure as you hit the stops will usually blow the seal out onto the ground. If it doesn't come out the first time, try it again a couple more times. Turn the engine off right away if it comes out.



If it doesn't come out that way, you may have to use a small slide hammer with a dent puller attachment. Screw a screw into the deepest ridge in the seal, Attach the slide hammer and slide the weight from the end with the screw to the other end fairly briskly. You may have to do this again on the opposite side of the seal, if it's really stuck.



To put it back in, assuming you don't have a seal driver, a short straight piece of of exhaust tubing, like an adapter of the right diameter makes a good driver. It should seat into the crease in the seal if possible to find the right size. Hit the other end of the tube with a small sledge turned sideways, so you hit both sides at the same time, until the lip is flush with the gearbox. Don't use any sealant. The seal has a coating already.



Now turn the steering wheel back to center (engine off), and look for a spot on the shaft where one of the splines is missing, and you should find a matching section in the Pitman Arm. Line those up, and press on partway, using the nut (and washer) to press it the rest of the way on. Torque to 170-230 ft. lbs. Fill PS reservoir, start truck, check fluid level again, and check for leaks.How do you change the lower seal on a power steering gear box?
Best to get a service manual like Chilton or Haynes from a parts store...it will have the procedure on how to replace the seal.



This one's for a Ranger but it may give you a general idea.



http://therangerstation.com/Magazine/FalHow do you change the lower seal on a power steering gear box?
the pussy above me is right do it his way

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