Check this thread, grab the one that is closest to your years. (98 or newer, grab the 01 manual.)

 

I'm gonna just take this in to one of my mechanics I trust. I can't find the time, and my driveway is starting to look horrendous. He said he could fix the seal for $140 so I'm good with that. I'm also gonna have him take a look at the rear brakes (drums) to see if they need adjusting or replacing. He's a very honest mechanic so I know he'll give me his best opinion.

 

Better yet, get a precision rebuilt box from Red-Head Steering Gears that comes with a warranty.

 

+1.... And the rear brakes always need adjusting.

 

Quick Question.. I have a pitman shaft seal to replace on mine, but my Aunt, whom is 88 (Yeh, we country girls all drive a DODGE! ) Has a 98 Ram 1500 5.9 2wd with 90k miles and its leaking, but not from the shaft, its from around the back of the steering gear box.. Would a seal kit fix this? If so Ill pull hers and seal it to. Ive checked the pump, cooler, and all the hoses, all dry.. the shaft is dry, but the rear of the box (Or, the end facing the front of the truck) is wet with PS fluid.

 

Clean it up with some Gunk and find the leak. Maybe one of the hoses steel line part that screws in to the gear is rotted and leaking.

 

fixing the seal is a job for the same price that your mechanic wanted to fix you can have a rebuilt box fixing the seal isnt worth the trouble your box is more than likely worn out the seal wears out from the shaft moveing around also put on a steering shaft stablizer

 

+1, but, if the box is adjusted correctly to the full extent of this procedure(as in not just the adjustment on top) it may give some more life out of the box along with seal replacement. http://dodgeram.org/tech/mods/steeri...ear/Adjust.htm

 

On another note, I had my seal successfully replaced and it's now dry as a bone It was $120 out the door. My rears were adjusted too and now everything is tip top again. 168,000 running like a champ

 

Another Quick question.. My steering gear box is off, in a vice, but the pitman arm is still on.. It will NOT come off, we snapped a pitman arm puller on it.. Now we are gunna torch it, carefully.. If you grab that pitman arm, and turn it by hand, should it be impossible to turn by hand? Mine takes two people to turn it one way, and still a bit of effort to go the other.. I do have steering problems in one direction.. truck turns around corners and seems to turn loose all at once.. Or is this my box adjustment to tight?