Steering gear box puking fluid

[BarryG]

My truck seems to have developed a steering box that pukes fluid and it only seems to do it upon startup in my garage. My driveway is only 5 feet long and has about 1. 5 feet of elevation gain in it. The garage floor is flat and level. First I thought it was the blow by bottle so I removed it and rerouted the tube down and it exited just to the left and below the box. It still did it so I rerouted the tube again and now it exits straight down 6 inches away and it is also to the rear of the box. Then finally figured it couldn't be engine oil from the blow by tube. Checked the power steering fluid level and it was quite low. Fluid seems to drip off the bottom of the box. It is not coming from the hydraulic line entry or exit points. They are dry and clean. Looks like it may possibly be coming from the small plate attached to the top of the box. It is now doing it with more frequency. Looks like a trip to the dealer which I am not looking forward too. Anybody got any ideas or heard of this happening before. Any thoughts/ideas would be appreciated.

 

[DNelson]

Mine does the same thing. Took it to the dealer, and they didn't find anything wrong! Said it was "normal" Gotta take it back again and have them go through it thoroughly.

 

[Bigramguy]

Have you checked the bolts on the top cover of the box ? They may be loose. If not it's probably a pitman arm or input seal. Should be covered by DC.

 

[TomGolden]

I had a similar experience, only mine was leaking only when I made very tight/hard turns, like backing into my garage sometimes, or getting into tight parking spaces. I looked underneath, and fluid was dripping off the steering gear box. I posted a question, and it was suggested that I tighten the bolts on the top of the steering gear box, or at least check them as they may be loose and therefore the cause of the leak.



I checked them, and 3 of the 4 were finger loose. I tightened them last week, and so far have seen no more leaking. It was also suggested that I recheck them fasirly often, as they may keep working loose.



Tom

 

[Valkyrie99]

Barry,



I had the same problem and found the thing was assembled incorrectly. Wore the pitman shaft bearing out. This is the thread of my fix.





https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19978&highlight=steering+box

 

[Ted W. Hazen]

BarryG - I had nearly identical circumstances as you described and after looking at the area around the steering gear box determined the the fluid was being blown over the entire area. Cleaned the area and rechecked after a normal drive. Leak was coming from the over center adjustment nut. I put a wrench on the lock nut while holding the adjustment screw with an allen wrench and snugged it down. No more leak.

 

[BarryG]

Thanks for the replys. I went out after work tonight and checked the bolts that hold that cap on and sure enough three of the four were finger loose. What a pita to get too. Been driving hard for 30 years and have never seen that happen before. Oh well, one more thing to add to weekly/monthly check. Thanks again

Barry