Steering Box Blow Out?

[FJKai]

After numerous power steering pump installs and removals (due to a leaky pwr steering pump), and finally getting my a/c to work right (Thanks to Kevinmrowland, highly recommend if any a/c issues, ask him he knows his stuff) I think the cruiser gods just craped on me again!!! I'm seeing a huge puddle of pwr steering fluid on the ground. It appears to be coming out of the paper/ foil covering that is over the pwr steering box line into the pwr steering pump. So I'm not sure if the line blew (somewhere under that line cover) or what is going on? I know it's a hard line out of the box and into the pump, but after many in and outs with the pump, I know it's flexible somewhere on that line so is it possible the line blew? Where is the typical steering box "blow out?" The top adjuster nut? Please tell me it's possible that the line blew and I'm possibly in for an "easy" fix for once? This 20+ year old vehicle is starting to really show its age I guess, man, I feel for the 80 series guys. They are in for some serious $$ when their aged machines start showing their age. Anyway, any advice at this point would be greatly apreciated, I'm sooooo done working on this thing. I might have to walk away for a bit before I really lose it and drive it off a cliff. Thx.

[grant5127]

Don't be discouraged Man, skin off that paper cover and take a look.......

[hank14]

I'd bet on the hose you're thinking about. I bought a replacement from NAPA last year. My gear box has leaked, though, twice, from the steering shaft input, but I don't think this is a common place.

[FJKai]

LOL. Well I took another look after I blasted off the gear box with cleaner and I don't think it's from up there. The line cover is full of fluid, I can see it at the line into the pump, so I guess it also "back fired" out the line cover near the box end. I'm guessing the line developed a weak spot/ kink during one of the MANY in and out pump installs due to a constant leak problem (long pain in the @$$ story, but finally fixed), so I hope that's the only problem.

You say you got one from Napa? I'll be giving them a call in the morning.

By the way, is the cover there for protection reasons? Heat shield? Just wondering.

Thanks.

[VTCruiser]

Originally Posted by FJKai

LOL. Well I took another look after I blasted off the gear box with cleaner and I don't think it's from up there. The line cover is full of fluid, I can see it at the line into the pump, so I guess it also "back fired" out the line cover near the box end. I'm guessing the line developed a weak spot/ kink during one of the MANY in and out pump installs due to a constant leak problem (long pain in the @$$ story, but finally fixed), so I hope that's the only problem.

You say you got one from Napa? I'll be giving them a call in the morning.

By the way, is the cover there for protection reasons? Heat shield? Just wondering.

Thanks.

I have a used P/S high pressure line if you want... http://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/2...parts-etc.html

[lehiguy]

Originally Posted by hank14

I'd bet on the hose you're thinking about. I bought a replacement from NAPA last year. My gear box has leaked, though, twice, from the steering shaft input, but I don't think this is a common place.

I had that happen... twice. Not too bad to replace, just be certain that you don't pull the shaft out very far or the "recirculating balls" won't recirculate, or rather, they will fall out of place into places they shouldn't be and your box will grenade, but only after you tow a trailer 100 miles from home. Ask me how I know.