Whats this called

OK 93 4.0 ltd. I have a slight leak from what seems to be a steering component. Now its at the exact end of the steering shaft it has 4 bolts and what seems to be a nipple sticking out on top, its under the Power steering fluid reservour, a line run from the reservour to this shaft. Now the bolts seem to hold down a plate, is there a gasket for this or could RTV hold it down well? Also whats the purpose of the nipple, hope its not something i should be greasing cause i havent done anything to it in 2 1/2 yrs. :confused:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/jdpascal/steeringbox.jpg


Check the picture. The circled part is what I believe you are refering to. It is the sector shaft cover and the "nipple" is the sector shaft adjusting screw where the "slop" in the steering is adjusted out after all the loose tie rods and other linkage is repaired.

Wash off where you think the leak is and keep an eye on it for a while. They can leak from the adjuster screw, from the cover bolts and from the cover.

If you remove the cover or loosen the adjusting screw to fix the leak, mark the original adjuster position and count the exact number of turns/part turns you move the adjuster so the overcenter preload of the gears are not disturbed.

JD

YOU DA MAN JD. I thought i woulda had more explaining to do. Thanks a mill

if i remove the cover will fluid spill out? Can i seal the cover with RTV then bolt it back? Is this part really important to steering system wanna do it myself?

Ya, You'll lose some oil.

There is a gasket to seal the joint but you might get away with some RTV if you use it sparingly.

My preference for this application is Permetex #2. It comes in a tube and is non-hardening. You still need clean oil free surfaces though.

Just make sure you count the turns when you turn the adjusting screw to remove the cover.

First thing to do is remove the adjuster lock nut.

second - remove the 4 cover screws.

third - Mark the screw and housing then turn the adjuster screw CLOCKWISE. That will lift the cover from the housing. Write down the number of turns/part turns it takes to remove it. When it goes back together, use the same number of turns for the inital adjustment and then try it. On an older machine, you could probably tighten it up some by turning counterclockwise another 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Be careful not to over tighten it as it will take out the pitman shaft bearing and seal after awhile.

JD

Thanks again. Im gonna degrease the cover area first to get a clear picture. Now in your third instruction you said tur screw CLOCKWISE to lift the cover from the housing. Wont clockwise tighten it. Just making sure

Turning clockwise will move the adjusting screw INTO the housing but because the adjusting screw is bottomed out against the top of the pitman shaft, the cover will lift from the houseing as it does move in.

JD

will try this weekend. Thanks for the clarity