serious help needed - ford steering related

NCarolina910

New Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2006
Location
Lewisville, NC
For reference I drive a 1988 Ford F150 4x4. Last weekend while off roading my power steering system sprung a leak. (Leak has been determined to not be from damage, simply a blown seal due to old age and stress.) It is leaking where the pitman arm (I believe this is also sometimes called a steering gear) connects to the underside of the steering box. I looked into buying a whole new box (a startling $150+) but found out that I can just pull the pitman arm and replace the seal. Here is my problem... I have found two conflicting products for such a repair. One is simply listed as "pitman shaft seal" and goes for $9.79 @ Advance Auto Parts. Sounds fairly cut and dry. The other is listed as "lower pitman shaft seal kit with integral gear" and is $16.96. That confuses me a bit. On Advance Auto Part's website, a picture of neither is listed, and even if I had a picture I wouldn't know what to go by as I have not torn things apart underneath in case this is out of my grasp and must be nursed to a garage. My friend and fellow forum member who works at Advance Auto suggested the later of the two and that's what I'm leaning towards. I'm getting kinda antsy here trying to figure out what in the world to do to start to get my truck back on the road. I guess what I need to know is, does anyone know which product sounds like the right one to buy to replace my blown out seal? Or better yet, does anyone know straight up what I need to do/buy to fix my problem? Thanks in advance.

-Bryan
 
You probably need a new steering box.

IME, if the sector shaft seal is leaking, it's because the sector shaft bushing is shot.

If the seal "with gear" or whatever actually comes with the sector shaft bushing, you're in business. Otherwise, you either need to find the parts, or buy a rebuilt box.
 
I had the same problem on a full size bronco I had. It was a 93. I pulled the pitman arm, replace the seals and it never leaked again. If the seal is in stock at you local parts store, but not sure which one you need, you can just pull it and then go to the store. Of course, if this is your only mode of transportation, then that is a problem.

You are probably going to have a problem getting the old seal out. I pulled the snap ring, then started the truck and moved the steering wheel back and forth until it shot the seal out. Turn it off immediately to keep from damaging the pump and make sure you've got something to catch the fluid.
 
And make sure you remember what order the seals/washers came out.
Replacing the sector shaft seals fixed mine as well...it takes all of 10 minutes as long as your pitman arm will come off.
 
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