Pittman arm

[dirtymike]

Have a leak on the pitman arm. The manual doesn't cover replacing any seal. It starting leaking after i replaced the pump. Any ever tackle this job. Thanks Dirty

 

[Curious Hound]

I just replaced the whole box and sent my old one back as a core. I watched some videos on rebuilding it and decided my time and patience could be used more effectively on something else.

 

[adsm08]

Generally attempts to repair or adjust the gear box in the field just result in further complications.

The Econoline was the last vehicle I worked on to use that box, and Ford had discontinued all repair parts and seals for it, so all you could get through the dealer was an assembled unit. Basically Ford didn't trust their own trained techs to try and repair these things.

 

[Dirtman]

Last time I opened up a steering box I made myself a lovely new paperweight... A manual box is one thing but P/S boxes area pain in the butt and not worth trying. Just get a good reman unit.

 

[dirtymike]

well i guess im going to the parts store. AZ has them for 155.00. Never replaced one. Doesent seem to hard to do. Anything special i need to be aware of before i start. Thanks Dirty

 

[Dirtman]

Not really. Sometimes the pittman arm is stuck pretty good so have a puller or pickle forks handy. Other than that it's just unbolt the old and bolt on the new, then bleed the system. Usually the splines are keyed so pretty much idiot proof as far as getting the steering straight.

 

[dirtymike]

thanks, didnt think it was to hard. Going on line to get some prices. Dirty

 

[adsm08]

Don't use a pickle fork on the pitman arm. Get a proper pitman arm puller. AZ should have one to rent. I have occasionally encountered ones that are stuck enough that after using the puller to put them under tension heat must also be applied. One needed smacked around a bit in addition to all that.

Before installing the new one use a pair of vice grips (use actual vice grips so they can be locked on) to turn the input shaft all the way to one side. Then turn it back the other way counting the turns, should be 4 1/4. Then turn it half way back to get the box centered. I got one installed off center once (don't remember how since I didn't actually remove the box from the vehicle) and it made for some interesting driving characteristics. And since most of my driving never needed more than a 1/2 turn of the wheel it took a few days to notice I could turn the wheel three turns to the right, but only one to the left.

 

[Shran]

I have two leaking steering boxes myself and am going to try fixing them... they both leak from the pitman arm shaft area. Supposedly this is fairly easy to fix, but messy - you remove the pitman arm and the snap ring that holds the seal in, put a bucket under it, and steer one way as hard as you can with the engine running...and the seal will blow itself out. I'm gonna try it. Worst case I make a mess and have to buy a couple steering boxes anyway. Seal kit for that was $5 on RockAuto.

 

[Curious Hound]

I have two leaking steering boxes myself and am going to try fixing them... they both leak from the pitman arm shaft area. Supposedly this is fairly easy to fix, but messy - you remove the pitman arm and the snap ring that holds the seal in, put a bucket under it, and steer one way as hard as you can with the engine running...and the seal will blow itself out. I'm gonna try it. Worst case I make a mess and have to buy a couple steering boxes anyway. Seal kit for that was $5 on RockAuto.

Take videos and share.
PLEASE!!!!!

 

[dirtymike]

Shran, let me know how this turns out. You have the part number for that seal. Take some pics. Thanks Dirty

 

[Shran]

RockAuto - EDELMANN 8778 or 8779. Not sure what the difference is, one says "lower" and has four pieces and the other says "complete" and has three pieces.

I'll sure document it when I get around to it. These leaks are driving me nuts. My Explorer started pissing fluid all over after my AZ trip.

 

[dirtymike]

Anybody know the size of the nut holding the pittman arm on is. I measured 1 5/16. Thanks Dirty

 

[4x4junkie]

Yes, 1-5/16".

 

[dirtymike]

well i used a crescent wrench. It came off easy, I loosened the tie rod end and it fell off. lucky me. Has 4 alignment slots, Guess it soaked in power steering fluid so long it loosened it up. Off to AZ i guess. Thanks Dirty