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Offline Sammconn

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Steering box leak?
« on: April 12, 2016, 07:17:29 PM »
So my LBZ is at around 210-15k miles and has in the last couple days developed a power steering leak. I'm not at home, but may still dig out tools to verify the lines are not the culprit.

Anybody know (Ken) is it worth the time changing a seal with this mileage?
From the quick crawl under looks like the input shaft seal not the pitman.

I'm not opposed at throwing a bit of love to it but steering box change sucks in my mind.
I just don't want to wind up missing a digit or limb.  I can sometimes get in a hurry to get results.
Sam

Offline Wilbur

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Re: Steering box leak?
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2016, 08:30:53 PM »
Take a look at the PS cooler behind the grille. My Yukon had a PS leak and with the skid plate, wires, cross members etc I was having a b***h of a time finding the leak. Then I happened to notice something wet behind the grille and found my culprit. It's a 2" x 12" (or so) mini radiator and mine ran straight up and down and was in front of the main radiator behind the grille. All on all an easy fix (I bought the cheapo $17 replacement instead of the OEM version). I dunno if yours has one in the same place but I would check it for aure. When I saw the leaking I had assumed box or a fitting and as I say I was having a miserable time discerning where it was coming from- the fluid was dripping from a few places due to all the ways the fluid could run once leaking from the cooler. Good luck!

Offline TexasRedNeck

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Re: Steering box leak?
« Reply #2 on: April 12, 2016, 09:46:11 PM »
Steering box is not that bad.  18mm for the lines and three bolts for the frame and, (IIRC) 10mm on the shaft bolt.

RedHead did me right on the Bus.

Pull the inner fender liner and the wheel on the driver's side and get busy.  Pulling the pitman arm might be the hardest part, but I'd replace that while I was at it.
Kids today don't know how easy they have it. When I was young, I had to walk 9 feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel.

Joshua 6:20-24

Offline Sammconn

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Re: Steering box leak?
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2016, 11:34:02 PM »
Yeah, it's decision time. I'm in the city and can get parts.
Just where to stop. This thing is basically all original save for some front end bits and hoses.
So it really owes me nothing, but deserves the TLC treatment, maybe not to the standard you gave the bus...
I just don't want to wind up missing a digit or limb.  I can sometimes get in a hurry to get results.
Sam

Offline TexasRedNeck

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Re: Steering box leak?
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2016, 06:56:28 AM »
, but deserves the TLC treatment, maybe not to the standard you gave the bus...

Then that just shows you have more sense than I do.....
Kids today don't know how easy they have it. When I was young, I had to walk 9 feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel.

Joshua 6:20-24

Offline KensAuto

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Re: Steering box leak?
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2016, 09:32:59 AM »
Change out the box. This week is the sector shaft, next week it's the pitman.
..and usually the hydro boost/hoses  starts at roughly the same time

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Offline Sammconn

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Re: Steering box leak?
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2016, 11:42:56 AM »
So on the hydro boost, does the small soft spot before the brakes pick up mean is time?

Looks like Sam's heading to steering rebuild.  :-\
I just don't want to wind up missing a digit or limb.  I can sometimes get in a hurry to get results.
Sam

Offline KensAuto

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Re: Steering box leak?
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2016, 02:02:54 PM »
Uhh, I don't think so.. ?...
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Offline Flyin6

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Re: Steering box leak?
« Reply #8 on: April 17, 2016, 07:59:27 AM »
Like to know what we discover here...

So many of those boxes out there...
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Offline Sammconn

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Re: Steering box leak?
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2016, 11:47:57 PM »
Well, here's what I discovered.
Our 2500's have a 33 spline 3 groove output on the steering box.
Not the 32 spline 4 groove that I had with me...
It was the only one they stocked, so must be the one then right...

The parts store had both listed as fitting, and it likely would have, but there are significantly smaller bits to the box and pitman that did not sit well with me.
All I found online suggested that this one was for a half ton, and after comparing the two I would have to agree. Would it work, it may, but with the roads I run, not an option.

So I've got good at the R&R of a steering box.
I'll call them tomorrow and get another on its way to me.

I just don't want to wind up missing a digit or limb.  I can sometimes get in a hurry to get results.
Sam

Offline Sammconn

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Re: Steering box leak?
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2016, 07:25:39 PM »
Oh yeah, forgot to mention the culprit of my leak is the input seal.

Correct box ordered today and should be here in a couple.
Here's hoping it's the right one...
I just don't want to wind up missing a digit or limb.  I can sometimes get in a hurry to get results.
Sam

 

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