Steering box leak? Best option (1 Viewer)

[georgiacruiser87]

I’ve been doing some reading on steering boxes recently. I’m restoring my 60, but really at the phase where I just want to drive it this summer. I’ve already done a desmog and not on to knuckle reseal and new bearings.

While tearing down the driver side is really found out how bad of a leak I have there’s caked grease or oil all over the steering boxes, frame, knuckle, etc. my assumption is it’s the steering box although I’ve driven it 5 miles in the last few months because of a violent shake at 30 mph.

So if it is a steering box leak and this is the original box I’m betting should I:

Attempt to re seal this steering box

Or

Hunt down an 80 steering box in decent shape that’s hopefully not leaking to have a tiny bit of upgrade.

I do plan to put 33-35” tires on at some point and run a different engine but that’s a year down the road.

 

[Old Nick]

I’ve been doing some reading on steering boxes recently. I’m restoring my 60, but really at the phase where I just want to drive it this summer. I’ve already done a desmog and not on to knuckle reseal and new bearings.

While tearing down the driver side is really found out how bad of a leak I have there’s caked grease or oil all over the steering boxes, frame, knuckle, etc. my assumption is it’s the steering box although I’ve driven it 5 miles in the last few months because of a violent shake at 30 mph.

So if it is a steering box leak and this is the original box I’m betting should I:

Attempt to re seal this steering box

Or

Hunt down an 80 steering box in decent shape that’s hopefully not leaking to have a tiny bit of upgrade.

I do plan to put 33-35” tires on at some point and run a different engine but that’s a year down the road.

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Slap an 80 box on there. I put one on my 62 (they "tilt" into place and you won't need to cut your inner fender). Made a huge difference in the "feel" of the drive.

 

[DrRock]

This^^ I put an 80 seris steering box on my 1985 FJ60 and it works great. I needed to form the inner fender a bit but otherwise it bolted right up.

 

[78Mustard]

What year is your 60? If I recall correctly, an 80 box will only work on 85+ MYs.

I'm assuming '87 based on your username, but if you look at my username and my truck, they don't line up!

 

[georgiacruiser87]

What year is your 60? If I recall correctly, an 80 box will only work on 85+ MYs.

I'm assuming '87 based on your username, but if you look at my username and my truck, they don't line up!

87. Is the Pittman arm the same from the 85 plus 60s to the 80 or do I need to source one of those as well

 

[yotadude520]

It's the same, I'm running a rebuilt 80 series box on my 86 with the stock pitman arm.

 

[georgiacruiser87]

It's the same, I'm running a rebuilt 80 series box on my 86 with the stock pitman arm.

Ok cool. Care to share where it was rebuilt at for down the line? I’ll probably find one swap it out for the rest of the year and then when I tear everything apart this winter send it off or just tackle it myself.

 

[78Mustard]

I had a similar post a few days ago, see here

 

[yotadude520]

Ok cool. Care to share where it was rebuilt at for down the line? I’ll probably find one swap it out for the rest of the year and then when I tear everything apart this winter send it off or just tackle it myself.

I had mine done by RedHead Steering Gears and have been really happy with it. I'd recommend just sending the steering box to them before you install it, you really don't want to have to install a steering box twice and have the truck down for some time.

 

[yotadude520]

Also I'd look at your tie rod ends before assuming your box is the cause of a violent shake. The tie rods on the pitman arm and passenger side knuckle are adjustable, so check those for play and if there is some just remove the cotter pin and tighten them until the play is gone. Usually a worn out box just causes the steering to be really, really loose.

I'd torque your u-bolts and shackle bolts as well for good measure.

 

[georgiacruiser87]

Also I'd look at your tie rod ends before assuming your box is the cause of a violent shake. The tie rods on the pitman arm and passenger side knuckle are adjustable, so check those for play and if there is some just remove the cotter pin and tighten them until the play is gone. Usually a worn out box just causes the steering to be really, really loose.

I'd torque your u-bolts and shackle bolts as well for good measure.

I just replaced all tie rod ends and the passenger side knuckle bearings, seals, wheel bearings etc.

Starting on the driver side now when I realized just how much gunk had been accumulating on the driver side. It’s one of those, “I figured while I’m in there I might as well…” scenarios.

My first steps are to clean and see if I can find the actual leak. Seeing as this will become my daily driver in the next few years, I’d rather fix the steering and front suspension as I go along.