identifying a good steering gear box?

[WhiteLX]

I need a good power steering gear box for my 89 Ranger. I have found that it crosses with many other Ford trucks thought the 80s and 90s. So I plan to go out to the you-pull-it yard to find one.

How can I spot a good power steering gear box? Is there any way to check for excessive wear? I imagine if it is covered in fluid/dirt it's probably no good.

Do I need a pitman arm puller to remove the box from the vehicle? Is it possible to take the box and pitman arm together as a unit and then separate them at home? It's been a little while since I have been under there and I have to admit, I've never messed with a gear box before. All of my other cars have had R&P steering.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I'd climb in and turn the wheel back and forth, not lock to lock or even alot, but enough to check for play, try to watch the front tire to see how far it moves back and forth. if it's good, the wheel should be moving at all times you're messing with the wheel , the most important part, and of course, the steering wheel shouldn't fell loose/play at all or clunks when changing directions.

Pitman arm: I would be very surprised if you needed to pull the pitman arm off to get the gear box off. There's good chance you'd never have to remove it at all if the arm is close enough to your stock one.

 

[Sunk]

You won't need to remove the arm from the box to get it out of the truck. It would probably be easiest to remove the steering from the box, then unbolt the box. There are 3 bolts on the outside of the frame holding the box on.

 

[4x4junkie]

Check for excessive play in the box by moving the pitman arm back & forth (and that it turns smoothly).
A small amount of play off to the sides is normal, but there should be close to no play at all when pointed straight ahead.

 

[88rangr]

Mine was leaking at the bottom seal, and decide to replace with a rebuilt unit, now it turns better, no slop and no leaks, I got mine at Merles Auto here in Tucson.

88 Ranger 4x4 2.9L