Steering box leak from the top

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dodge dude94

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Not sure where to put this, so I'll put it here.


For a while now, I've had a fairly bad leak in my steering box from what appears to be the top. I had done something stupid a while back that involved having to manually steer the truck and since then, it has leaked and it seems like it's been getting progressively worse.

Other than full replacement, which I don't wish to do right now, what options do I have, if any?
 

reddot

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depends on where the leak is from. You have fluid lines and a center adjust bolt on the cap. If the cap is cracked there is a pretty good chance the inner shaft has moved too much vertically, thus internal damage. It possible just one of the lines is leaking at the fitting. clean the top off and all the fitting. run the truck in park and turn the wheel back and forth checking every couple turns to see if you can locate the exact spot of the leak.
 
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dodge dude94

dodge dude94

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Never thought that the cap might be cracked. I will definitely look into what you just suggested.
 

crazzywolfie

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pressure wash everything clean and then paint it. hopefully the paint will hide the leak or make it easier to spot on a freshly painted steering box.
 
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dodge dude94

dodge dude94

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I know it's leaking bad because of when I last did an undercarriage wash. lol That wash works well, and my box is covered in fluid and dropping. lol

And the box is black.
 
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dodge dude94

dodge dude94

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Would the PS reservoir being over full cause it to leak bad?


:D
 

crazzywolfie

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i still think you should clean and paint the steering box and area around it. let it dry then fire the truck up and see if you can see where it is coming from. i don't think having a over full reservoir should effect it.
 
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dodge dude94

dodge dude94

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I got the top of it as clean as I could earlier. Turns out the box lid is silver and there is an OEM sticker on it that I've never seen before. Sooooo it's been nasty for the entire 3 and a half years I've owned the truck.
 
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dodge dude94

dodge dude94

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Drove it to my workout and back, likely going to go out and look in a bit.
 
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dodge dude94

dodge dude94

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Either it's quit leaking for the current time or it's not leaking from the bottom, I don't know which.

100_5897_zps94623daa.jpg

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I will clean the rest of the box up sometime later, I just don't know when that sometime is.
 

crazzywolfie

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clean thing up and throw some of that cheap paint on things. whatever is leaking should make the paint dissolve and direct you to the leak.
 
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dodge dude94

dodge dude94

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I'll likely end up doing it next week. lol Cold and running out of days this week.
 

crazzywolfie

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i guess waiting till next week would be a good idea since it is suppose to warm up down there.
 
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dodge dude94

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Yep. I only got tomorrow anyway to do anything, and it's going to barely get above 45. lol

I rather not deal with water and cleaners under my truck when the temperatures are under 55*. lol Damn face tries to freeze.
 

crazzywolfie

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sometimes you got to do what you got to do. could be worse. you could live up here. 14*f but feels like 0.
 
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dodge dude94

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True. It's got plenty of fluid in it, so I think it'll be fine for right now. lol
 

crazzywolfie

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as long as you keep an eye on the fluid level you should be fine. i know i have run out of steering fluid a couple times in my 81 and have been lucky not to break anything yet. i got a good leak. my truck has no problem leaking out 75w90 gear oil eventually.
 
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