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steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

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Old 09-11-2015, 08:38 PM
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Car: 1983 Z-28
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: 5-speed
steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

I have finally determined where my leak is coming from... the steering box, by the rag joint... I have done a bit of searching here, (I see the sttering box rebuild sticky and it helps) but I am confused by the many parts at the end of the steering box! Do I replace the rag joint and seals at the end of the box? The box entirely? Sorry I really am trying to figure this out by searching the forum- didn't know steering was so freegin complicated!
Thanks, Bub
Attached Thumbnails steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking--steerleak.jpg  
Old 09-11-2015, 08:42 PM
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Re: steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

I would opt for a rebuilt box rather than rebuild myself, you do not have to do the rag joint but since it has to come out when you do the box I would.
Old 09-11-2015, 09:16 PM
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Re: steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

Rag joint seems cheap enough, especially if I have to replace the box.
Old 09-11-2015, 09:31 PM
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Re: steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/aa...model/firebird
Old 09-12-2015, 01:22 AM
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Re: steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

Just FYI, rag joint is indeed cheap, but is a pain in the @$$ to replace. You have to grind or drill the rivets out and replace them with bolts, and getting the rivets out is not fun. If you have the proper tools it probably wouldn't be too bad.
Old 09-12-2015, 09:11 AM
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Re: steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

a front seal kit can be had to fix that without taking the whole box apart.

oil kills rag joints. time to replace that anyway.
Old 09-12-2015, 10:30 AM
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Re: steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

For what it's, my rebuilt/reman steering has a leak in the spot you've described. It was leaking from day one and it took me forever to figure that out.
The solution (for me) was a can of Lucas Power Steering stop leak. It's working so far.
Old 09-12-2015, 11:41 AM
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Re: steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

Originally Posted by someone972
Just FYI, rag joint is indeed cheap, but is a pain in the @$$ to replace. You have to grind or drill the rivets out and replace them with bolts, and getting the rivets out is not fun. If you have the proper tools it probably wouldn't be too bad.
Yea, the grinding/ drilling rivets out deal seems like a pain. Maybe I can avoid it...
Old 09-12-2015, 11:43 AM
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Re: steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

Originally Posted by naf
a front seal kit can be had to fix that without taking the whole box apart.

oil kills rag joints. time to replace that anyway.
I might try this first! Thanks!
Old 09-12-2015, 11:48 AM
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Car: 1983 Z-28
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Re: steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

Originally Posted by naf
a front seal kit can be had to fix that without taking the whole box apart.

oil kills rag joints. time to replace that anyway.
An input shaft seal kit? This one?

GATES 351310 {#2774, 2968, 35131} Power Steering Repair Kit; Stg. Gear Input Shaft Seal Kit
W/Ring Retained Housing

Thanks!
Old 09-18-2015, 02:09 PM
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naf
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Re: steering box leak- confused as to what's leaking-

do a search for the jeep shaft to replace the rag joint completely. happy with mine.
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