Archived steering gear leak

[jjohannessen]

I have a leak on my gear box. It sprays oil every where!! I remember there was a post on a seal kit for the gear box! It is leaking where the pitman arm connects to the box. I would like to replace the seal because the gear box is some big bucks! I tried the search but just can't seem to find it again

 

[AFarnham]

I have the exact same problem, which was discovered at a recent oil change. Another good reason to do your own oil changes...



I opted to have the box replaced because I think excessive play in the bushing/bearing at the pittman arm on the steering box is causing the seal to leak. I am afraid that replacing the seal alone will not solve the problem.



At 45,000 mi, this is my first go around with this particular issue. I could be wrong.

 

[Makensmoke]

Warranty replaced my steering box at around 77k, now tonight i'll replace my power steering pump I just picked up at Cummins (pulled in the driveway and the oil fell out!) for $333 bucks with a seal.



I still can't see ever getting rid of it...

 

[dpuckett]

THere was an article recently in the first gen column in the magazine about steering box leaks. I replaced the seal (where the shaft goes into the box) in mine, and got the nut on too tight, and took out a few bearings. Seems like a reman box was in the neighborhood of $150 from CHecker. It works well now. Nice and tight, no strong arm steering. Spray some carb or brake cleaner on it and observe where it is coming out. Not to question your judgement, but the article said it will all end up at the pitman arm, as it is the lowest point on the box.



Daniel

 

[BWilson]

I changed the lower seal in mine about three times in 35,000 miles before I just went and bought another steering gear assembly. It was defnitely the increased play that washes out the seal. Check out this thread for what seem like a good fix. I think a few TDR member have used it but I haven't heard of results.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=64315&perpage=15&pagenumber=1



I'll be puttin one soon as soon as my money tree I planted in the back yard begins sprouting.....

 

[Badunit]

Even the new boxes have a lot of play in them at the pitman shaft. The bearing is too undersized for the pitman shaft according to the clearance specs provided by the bearing manufacturer. While I no longer have my 2001 (which had excessive play also with the several stock boxes and several AGR boxes I tried), I highly recommend the steering brace. If it had been available when I owned my 2001 I would have definitely bought one. It should significantly reduce the play in the steering too, a large part of which is caused by this side-to-side play at the pitman shaft.