I have a 72 with a PS steering gear box. It had been leaking for years. I got the pitman arm off and saw there was no steering gear shaft seal. Quick fix...right? Wrong, I put in a new seal and put the pitman arm back in and torqued to 110lbs. It was leaking again. I should say when I took off the pitman arm there was no evidence of a previous seal What is the problem? This is what I observe: 1/4 inch gap between top of pitman arm and the seal. This is where the oil is coming from. From the bottom going up this is what I see: Nut, lock washer, pitman arm, steering gear shaft seal. What needs to go in to put pressure on the seal from the top of the pitman arm? Is there a bushing or something I need? Can I just put in some large washers? Thanks in advance
...an option... Steering gear mod... Frank and I did a mod. on our steering gearbox that might just save you all a real hassle. We put a zerk fitting on the gearbox top plate, and greased up the gear the way it is supposed to be. It is like driving a new car. Here is a description. We removed the inspection/adjustment plate. This plate is on top, has the preload adjuster on it, and held on with 3 bolts (see pic). Be sure to run the adjuster down as far as it will go, so the bolts will back out. Run the adj. screw out of the plate. With a 21/64' drill bit, drill the hole between the lower right hand screw and the adj. nut. With a 1/8" tap, tap the hole, and put in a 1/8" zerk fitting. Reinstall the plate, and put as much grease (waterproof, hi pressure and hi temp) as the gear will hold. When full, grease will come out of the vent at the top of the gear. I think this will save your gear if it is new or rebuilt, and can help an old one like mine. Adjust the preload for minimal steering wheel play, and tighten the 5/8" nut to lock the adjustment in. That's it. P.M. Earl for pics. if needed... Frank...:Handshake
You don't suppose to use 90 weight oil or axle grease in a steering box. Use a moly base grease. Any tractor supply shop has what is called corn head grease that is the same as Ford recommends. Here is a good 'How-To' link on greasing up the steering box. http://www.stangerssite.com/lubrication.html
I used 90W based on what Chilton's Manual said. I am willing to try anything. What is your schematic from the bottom up? Like I said I have a nut, lock washer, pitman arm, then is the seal next? or some washers? or some bushings? Let me know about the schematic. I will try yhe moly based grease 4 sure
seal There is no washer between the pitman arm and the bottom of the box. That 1/4 inch space is about right. Are you sure you got the seal in and seated properly? Fit is similar to a rear hub seal, pretty tight fit.
This is the only thing my 65-72 master parts book shows (that I know of) on the Maverick steering box. Like Blown74 stated no need for a washer above the pitman arm. The taperer shaft/hole only allows the arm to fit so close.
Still leaking. I got a 72 Mustang seal which was nothing more than a rubber washer. I found this part. Is that the one you are talking about? I assume the open/female end goes up? Thanks
Open end toward the oil, and use a bit of bearing mount (lock-tite product) on the OD of the seal and the ID of the bore. That will keep it from going in too far and backing back out. Be sure to put some gear lube on the seal lip before installation.
These people will be at the All Ford Swap Meet in Columbus, OH this weekend....I would talk to them. Rode's Restorations http://www.bright.net/~rodes/
There have been threads on this in the past. The problem with using only grease is that it doesn't fully lubricate the box. Grease won't flow into places that it needs to. I rebuilt my box and when I ordered the seals from a gearbox rebuilder I asked him what they used. He told me that they mix up grease and heavy weight oil to make a "thin grease". He said it wouldn't leak but would still flow enough to get where it needs to. I'm running heavy weight oil in my rebuilt box and haven't had a problem yet. If it does leak, I'll mix up the "thin grease" and use it. I remember someone else on the boards also mentioning using a Lucas additive. I can't answer your seal question. Maybe it's the wrong seal? I have the seal number somewhere and can get it if you need it.
