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Steering gear box seal

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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 02:40 PM
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Default Steering gear box seal

Is it possible to replace just the lower steering box seal without rebuilding the box and can it be done in the car?
If so, how much of a PITA is it?
Where can I get just the seal?

My box is tight and not needing rebuilt, but I've got a leak around the pittman arm. Not wanting to pay for a rebuild.

Thanks!
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by blckslvr79
Is it possible to replace just the lower steering box seal without rebuilding the box and can it be done in the car?
If so, how much of a PITA is it?
Where can I get just the seal?

My box is tight and not needing rebuilt, but I've got a leak around the pittman arm. Not wanting to pay for a rebuild.

Thanks!
YOU NEED TO REMOVE IT. GOING THERE YOU WILL BE REBUILDING IT...

GARY HAS A GREAT WRITE UP ON THAT
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 04:46 PM
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You could probably do it on the vehicle, but I would be harder. All you need to do is pull the cover off (need to follow Gary's or Jim's instructions here and look at a diagram to understand how the lash adjuster screw mates with sector shaft) and the sector shaft will slide out the bottom. Pound out the seal with srewdriver from the top or pry it out from the bottom (be sure you know where the lower bushing is first). Pound in a new seal and reinstall setor shaft, top off with grease, re-install cover, adust lash and reinstall pitman arm.

I am glancing over details you need here for the sake of a summary. The only challenging part here is adjusting the Lash and GTR1999 can advise on that; He is the leading expert on the subject and helped me as wells supplied my parts.

Good luck
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 04:59 PM
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Sounds promising!
The Haynes manual says it can be done in the car.
None of the local part stores sell the seal though.

Where can I get the seal?????

GTR1999.....you out there????


I've got the engine out of the car and figured this would be the perfect time to replace the seal before I drop the engine and Hookers back in this weekend. Now I can't find a seal..... you know the story!
Steve
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 05:12 PM
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I'll send his contact info via PM. He'll know how to get you one by this weekend.

It will be easy if the engine is out, but not really much harder with it in. However, you will want to drop the header.
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 08:26 PM
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Sure I'm still around. You can pry out the seal and use a deep socket to tap it in. I would grab the pitman arm and push it up to see how much play is in the vertical lash and then check the side play.
If the box wasn't touched in a long time I would remove it and really check/adjust/rebuild it but to answer your question, yes you can just replace the seal. PM me if you have any questions.
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Old Apr 29, 2008 | 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by blckslvr79
Where can I get the seal?????

Steve
Here you go.
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/dept...1727ACD32CE8B8
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Old Apr 30, 2008 | 01:25 AM
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Originally Posted by GTR1999
Sure I'm still around. You can pry out the seal and use a deep socket to tap it in. I would grab the pitman arm and push it up to see how much play is in the vertical lash and then check the side play.
If the box wasn't touched in a long time I would remove it and really check/adjust/rebuild it but to answer your question, yes you can just replace the seal. PM me if you have any questions.
Thanks for the PM Gary.
My box is tight up, down and side to side. Just a bad seal.
If I don't damage anything removing the pitman arm, I should be able to handle the job.
Thanks again!
Steve
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Old Apr 30, 2008 | 01:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
Thanks!
I never think about ZIP.
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Old Apr 30, 2008 | 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by blckslvr79
Thanks for the PM Gary.
My box is tight up, down and side to side. Just a bad seal.
If I don't damage anything removing the pitman arm, I should be able to handle the job.
Thanks again!
Steve
good luck with that. That was the worst part of my box rebuild. I could not get it off while on the car. Even off the car, I was breaking pullers untill I heated it up and smashed it with a hammer while pulling.
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Old Apr 30, 2008 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by blckslvr79
Thanks!
I never think about ZIP.
doc rebuild thinks about them all the time !!!
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Old Apr 30, 2008 | 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted by A88FXRS
doc rebuild thinks about them all the time !!!
that's a good one. He totally set you up for that joke
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