Anyway to Bench Test a Steering Box (1 Viewer)

[Irish Reiver]

My steering box has developed a leak which I am struggling to pinpoint. All the hoses are new with no signs of leaking. Same goes with the input and output shafts which are dry also. PS fluid appears to be coming from under the box which really only leaves the area where the 2 sections of the box join.
I happen to have a spare box that was gifted to me a number of years ago. I have no idea on the providence of this box other than someone has marked it with "Reman" - see photos.

Couple of questions :-
1) Are the steering boxes the same P/N across the 94/95/96/97 model years or are there differences?
2) Is there a way to bench test a box before I go through the effort of fitting it only to find out it is a bad unit?

My goal is to remove my current box and get it sent away for overhaul but it would be nice to use of the truck in the meantime.

Appreciate any help

 

[andersonoverland]

I just rebuilt mine. Easy to do! Several videos on how to do it. I would just buy the $40 kit and rebuild it. Not much to go wrong in those things. As far as bench testing, you can fill it with fluid through the inlet holes (takes forever because you have to move the shaft back and forth to get it to take the fluid into the sector shaft). Put some channel locks on the main shaft, move it back and forth, and if the fluid comes out of the holes under a bit of pressure, its fine. Just get some rubber plugs and plug the holes. If you turn the shaft back and forth and the plugs pop out under a small bit of pressure, you know she's probably going to be fine. And if the shaft turns smoothly, it's probably fine inside. I would follow that video and rebuild it. You'll be able to tell once you are in there whether or not everything looks ok.

Check this out:

 

[cruzinfj1]

Like @andersonoverland suggested, do it yourself. There are countless threads here and videos on YouTube. Might as well drill and tap it now if there's any possibility of running ram assist down the road. Pull the one apart that you have laying there first, so your truck isn't down for any amount of time. If it looks good, swap it in and then rebuild the one that you pull out so you have it on the shelf, drilled/tapped and freshly rebuilt for a later date.... Looks pretty clean/Rust-Oleum restoration already. Does it say "Renman", not "reman", like someones name maybe?

 

[Irish Reiver]

Like @andersonoverland suggested, do it yourself. There are countless threads here and videos on YouTube. Might as well drill and tap it now if there's any possibility of running ram assist down the road. Pull the one apart that you have laying there first, so your truck isn't down for any amount of time. If it looks good, swap it in and then rebuild the one that you pull out so you have it on the shelf, drilled/tapped and freshly rebuilt for a later date.... Looks pretty clean/Rust-Oleum restoration already. Does it say "Renman", not "reman", like someones name maybe?

Thank s for the feedback. I always thought the rebuild of the steering box was a 5 job and required a Phd in mechanical engineering. Also you are right with the Renman thing, I read it and saw"reman"

 

[Irish Reiver]

I know it took a while but I finally got my steering box rebuilt. I initially just fitted the unit that I had inherited and to no ones surprise it leaked more than my original. New seal kit ordered up over the holidays and I eventually got it fitted over the weekend. It's been in the truck since Sunday and so far completely dry. I now have a leak free truck thanks again for everyones help and support on this project.

 

[Malleus]

What is your subjective appraisal on the difference in your steering feel, since you put the new seals in? Any difference?

 

[Irish Reiver]

What is your subjective appraisal on the difference in your steering feel, since you put the new seals in? Any difference?

I can't say I noticed any difference to be honest. I didn't replace any of the roller bearings and my input shaft bearing was OK but replaced it since it was in the kit. I still need to dial in the preload adjustment but I am waiting to fit some caster correction plates before I fiddle with anything else on the steering.