Archived steering box leaks like crazy

[Hootguy]

Well,,,i just got the bouncing wheel problem figured out...

And today,,,all the steering oil pours out the pitman arm seal. .

I filled the pump up,,,and watched all the oil pour out the seal when i turn the wheel...

Now the question is,,,,do i repalce the seal only which is cheap and seams like it could be done on the truck. .

or,,do i replace with a brand new dodge steering box,,,i get it for about $200. 00,,and is new,,not rebuilt...

I can also get a box from a reputable box rebuilder for $150. 00

Can anyone recomend the best fix

Note the truck has about 200,000 miles on it ... am i live in winter salt country. .

Thanks

 

[Rob Thomas]

I haven't tried it myself, but I have heard that replacing the seal is only a temporary fix. When mine starts to pour out, I will replace the entire unit.





Rob

 

[SOOT]

I did replace the seal on mine and then went another 2 years with no leakage when I raplaced it.

 

[TBrown]

It isn't too hard to replace the seal. And the cause of the bad seal could be a loose pitman shaft bearing. This isn't too hard to replace, but the box will have to be taken off to replace. I have replaced the bearing and seal on my truck, and the seal on another with no problems.

 

[Hootguy]

What are the chances of being able to change out the seal with the box still on the truck???

Looks like it would be easy enough. .

What tool do you use to pull out the old seal??

Seems like a seal swap would be a good idea,,since its only $12. 00

Thanks for your time.

 

[KevinO]

DON'T BUY AGR STEERING BOXES. THEY'LL MAKE YOU

 

[SOOT]

I did mine on the truck.

 

[Keith1]

did mine i the truck also,used a short hunk of cpvc 1 1/2 i think is what it was that fit the seal,43,000 and its still leak free.

 

[doodad]

Hooter69 I have had similar problems which have now become much worse. My steering box was leaking and I replaced the seal and it started leaking again, unkown to me on a long tour and did damage to the steering pump as well. here is where the story gets worse. I had the dealership, which has done lots of good work for me before and also deals with alot of diesels, replace the steering pump and the steering box at the same time. I regret dooing this now beacuse I have a steering issue and it makes it alot harder to pinpoint the culprit. Anyways the dealership installed the new steering pump on the truck and the shaft that goes into the vacum pump , damaged the seal,when they did this. After reading on the TDR here I see that these two units should always be attached together on the bench to prevent this from happening. The dealership and even Cummins wants $1300 canadian for a new pump and says that I cant get new seals. After dooing more research on the TDR I contacted John(CPFF) and had a lengthly conversation about these issues. Thanxs again John. He has sourced out the seals and (mongrel) O-rings for both kinds of pumps and for consideribly less than a new pump.

I am running valvoline in the new steering pump and when I start it up in the morning or doo sharp turns fast the pump groans as if there is no fluid coming to it. It doesnt leak but the vacum pump now leaks engine oil:{ . CPFF says it is because of the pumps design that it is sucking the fluid out to quick there is not enough in the resovoir. He has had to install a remote resoivior from a Jetta TDI. The dealership head service manager says he will take care of it but I am very unsure of what to doo or who to get to install the seal kit now and also with the steering pump issue. I ordered a DSS steering stabilizer and have it now going to put it on as soon as the problems are resolved.



Anyone else have any of these issues?







PS. Thanxs Jeff

 

[David_VT]

DC will get $1041 for a new vacuum pump when the powersteering pump runs dry and then seizes up and wipes out the drive gear inside the vacuum pump...



I. E. watch your fluid level if you have PS leak...