My steering box is leaking on my '1983 W250 and making a mess - time to reseal. Has anyone done this repair on the truck vs. pulling and where did you get your seal kit from? Thanks!

 

I replaced the lower seal on my 78 in the truck. Yon need to drill a small hole in the metal part of the seal then screw in a small screw. Then get vise grips and pull it out.Sometime you need to do this on the other side also.

 

Yep, I have seen that trick - would definitely prefer to do in the truck, looks like Rock Auto has the seal kit, Napa too no doubt - another adventure in wrenching land, found a pitman arm puller in the barn the other day, a sign that I am supposed to do this I suppose.

 

Pretty loud hint at any rate.

If the seal is really stubborn, put the pitman arm back on, but, only finger tight on the nut, start the engine, and turn the steering wheel. Fluid pressure will blow the seal out. (and make a mess...... this is only a last resort. )

 

if you have a factory service manual it should give you a good idea. what hey you mentioned is how the FSM says to pop the output shaft seal and change without removing the steering box from the truck.

 

I used to do a bunch of those (pitman seal) getting the pitman arm off was often the hardest part.
have your wheels centered up (straight ahead) start the truck (with pitman disconnected, put nut back on by a few threads) and crank the steering full tilt one way and the seal will come right out. Just dont forget the snap ring behind the pitman arm/above the seal!