Steering Box Help needed ASAP

[cbbr]

I have a leak in the steering gearbox where the shafet connects at the top.

I'm trying to replace the gasket in the top of the steering gearbox. I have the shaft off. How do you get the top of the gearbox open? Special tool.

 

[pauly383]

Shaft where steering column shaft goes ? You just need to remove the snap ring and washer , then you can access the seal . I pushed mine in on one side and pulled out . Then hammered new one in with right sized deep socket so I didn't damage seal .

http://coloradok5.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2146&stc=1

 

[cbbr]

Here's what I'm looking at. WTH????

 

[LongIslander26]

Steering seal

You gotta take that rag joint off first, THEN you'll see the snap ring and the seal.

 

[cbbr]

How do you get the rag joint off? I've never worked on one of these before. It seems to be the story of my life, but I'm learning fast.

 

[LongIslander26]

Rag joint

There should be a couple of bolts holding it on from the underside, just look under it, between it and the steering box, and you should see how it attaches.

 

[HarryH3]

You can't just loosen the bolts on the clamp that holds the rag joint to the steering box. The bolts have to be completely removed. They fit into grooves in the shaft to provide a failsafe should the clamp get loose.

 

[LongIslander26]

What he said!

Yeah,and that too!

 

[cbbr]

Thanks guys, I got the rag joint off. Now what?

 

[LongIslander26]

Next step

You should see a snap ring that holds the seal in. Take that off and then get the seal out. Once it's out, look at the shaft and see if there's any crud or dried up P/S fluid on it, if there is you want to clean the shaft off first, usually a rag with some brake cleaner sprayed on it will do the trick. Wipe a little P/S fluid in the new seal, then put it all back together.

 

[cbbr]

Now I see it. Looks like I need snap ring pliers.

Better Picture...

 

[LongIslander26]

Ok

Ok, give me a minute to look something up.

 

[LongIslander26]

Snap ring

According to the exploded diagrahm in my repair manual, there is a "Retaining ring" that holds the seal in. It's probaly one of those snap rings that doesn't have the holes on it for snap ring pliers, so you just need to get it out with a small screwdriver or something..

 

[LongIslander26]

snap ring

There's the snap ring right there! The thing with the holes on the end of it!

 

[LongIslander26]

Good deal!

Yeah, get the snap ring out, and then get the seal out. Don't worry about boogering up the seal, cause you're replacing it anyway.

 

[muscle]

my steering box leaks too, is this pretty much the only replaceable seal?

 

[LongIslander26]

Only seal?

There's another one where the pitman arm shaft comes out at the bottom, but it's a little more involved to get it out. I had my whole box apart about a year ago, and redid everything, but since it was awhile go, I'm a little rusty. This guy's digital camera sure saved the day!

 

[cbbr]

I've got it down to getting the seal out. Feel like your'e leading the blind yet?

How do you get it out?

 

[pauly383]

How do you get it out?

Tap it in on one side so it cocks itself in the bore , then pull it out with something or pry it out with something . Its easy , I did it .

 

[LongIslander26]

Yeah.

What he said. By hook or by crook it needs to come out!