leaking 55 ford steering gear box.

[djpink1947]

I don't know how to word this so I give it a good try. I have a 55 ford without power steering. My problem is the steering gear box looks to be leaking at the bottom. It has to be leaking there because the puddles of oil form about right under the gear box, also it was dry when I looked at it about two weeks ago. I can't really tell for sure because I have vertigo and can't lay on my back to inspect it. My wife can't do it, because she wouldn't know where to look(Yes, she volunteered to look at it). Does this thing have a seal on the bottom where it connects to the center drag link? Is it something that could be fixed on the car without having to pull the gear box out? I looked in Mac's for some gear box gaskets they do have them but, what would I need? Well kick this around and let me know what you guys think, anything would be helpful Thanks.......Dave

 

[Fordestes]

Pull the gear and re build it correctly, steering is nothing to play around with, and it will be over and done with so you can enjoy the ride without problems on the road.if it is leaking it may need new bearings etc. so no need to do it over again.
Fordestes

 

[Ole Don]

I agree with the above. There is a seal on the shaft, but it could also be a gasket on the four bolt cover on the bottom, but they are shim gaskets and used to set bearing pre-load. If the four bolts for that cover are present and tight, its time to remove the steering gear and redo it on the bench. Not as hard as you may think.