Can you reseal a steering box without removing from car?

[MikeG]

Has anyone tried to install a new seal on shaft,without removing the steering box from the car?

Thanks

[jerry]

i haven't personally, but i'm in the process of putting one back together.

consider this:

there are two seals, one on the steering column input arbor, the other on the steering arm output underneath.

on the steering column you're gonna have to disengage the flex coupling and the 4-bolt flange from the steering box. if memory serves me, you MAY have to pull the steering column aft (4 bolts in the cabin under dash).

you'd have access to the seal at this point and could pick it out i suppose.

you're only half way there though. now you have to disengage the swing-arm from the center link (i'm guessing that's the one). accessibility would be a challenge and i don't recall if the big bolt is unobstructed.

i think for the amount of hassle-factor, just remove the whole thing and work from the comfort of your workbench.

there are alignment marks on the box and arbors that must be considered upon reassembly. it's really not a complicated mechanism when you take it apart.

[Guest Anonymous]

I recently went through this process.

The simple answer is no. The top seal must be pushed in, to remove. therefore disassembling the box appears to be the only choice.

I found an upper seal by going to a bearing and seal specialist. They measured the components and supplied a seal at $4.

All in all, it is a lot easier to work on the box on the bench. I couldn't imagine trying to do the work inside the car.

Good luck,

Paul

[Guest Anonymous]

More to add......

You must REMOVE the 2 bolts from the steering column coupling. There's a groove in each shaft that these bolts align with.

Sliding the coupling aft can be tough, so wedge the clamps open using small cold chisels or something to spread them. Then the coupling will slide easier.

I used a forked tie-rod seperator to release the Pitman Arm from the center steering rod. I tried "the dual hammer hitting method", but couldn't get a good angle to use force. You will have to replace the dust cover over the center arm fitting as the seperator will destroy the old one.

Good Luck,

Paul