Steering box leaks when forced to turn from the wheels vs. the steering wheel.

[WarWagon]

This make no sense to me.

Steering box appears to be fine and leak free on the 2005. Pull the front end down and have a hard time getting the pitman arm off. Forcing the pitman arm to rotate causes the seal on the steering wheel input shaft of the steering box to leak. (Or from that exact area on the box.) Box was bone dry on the outside before this. I tilted the box down leaving 1 of 3 bolts in to access the pitman arm without taking the steering shaft off.

Nice puddle of oil when I am done.

Fire up the engine and turning lock to lock will not leak. I can not get the box to leak again.

Is the seal about to fail or what is going on to where is isn't leaking now? Maybe bad bearing in the box flexing the seal?

For amusement: :suicide: It took an hour on the 1" impact, a cheater bar on a 3' long ratchet, and finally the air hammer to assist getting the pitman off. I am surprised the 1" drive impact didn't break something because it usually does. If the puller broke I am sure it would have landed in the next zip code. I never have seen the 1" impact stall and stay stalled that long without something going boom. Seriously, I doubled checked that the nut was off! Thinking about this I should replace the puller for possible stress cracks.

 

[Will L.]

Replace the puller. You over stessed it, it will break, and when it does...
Not just the previous shop owner, ase certed master tech in me speaking, this is the former Mac tool guy in me who has seen the carbage not just in the shops, but at the tool training hq. technichians / mechanics die on the job. Rediculus amounts of injuries.
Heat goes along ways for removal. Could the seal lip have worn a groove or with the torque be displaced temporary? i havent had to mess w/ 1 for leaking yet. No tsb's that I remember.

 

[WarWagon]

I am reading that it looks like tilting the box with the steering shaft connected is prone to tearing that seal for some reason.

 

[natashajohny]

You can replace seals under the cap at the input shaft, but you may have to get a full rebuild kit to get them.