Power Steering Leak Question:

I have an '82 El Camino with a somewhat significant leak in the power steering fluid.

I'm not 100% sure on the terminology, but there is a unit at the base of my steering column underneath the hood, which I am pretty sure is the Gear Box. Anyways, there is always a puddle of fluid in a fitting at the very base of it, and I suspect that there is a faulty gasket inside.

My question is this, is this something an amateur mechanic without specialty tools can repair? Or do I need something specific to be able to pull that appart and put it back together?

If you need a picture to know what I'm talking about, I'll take one tomorrow when it's light out and post it.

I have an '82 El Camino with a somewhat significant leak in the power steering fluid.

I'm not 100% sure on the terminology, but there is a unit at the base of my steering column underneath the hood, which I am pretty sure is the Gear Box. Anyways, there is always a puddle of fluid in a fitting at the very base of it, and I suspect that there is a faulty gasket inside.

My question is this, is this something an amateur mechanic without specialty tools can repair? Or do I need something specific to be able to pull that appart and put it back together?

If you need a picture to know what I'm talking about, I'll take one tomorrow when it's light out and post it.


if it is leaking at the steering box output shaft this is a common failure... I replaced one on a 85 cutlass.... there is a retaining ring that needs to be removed then turn steering wheel full left/right and the seal will blow out.. then remove the pitman hardware and install new seal then retainer ring and pitman hardware .... with wheels off the ground fill power steering fluid go full left right and then refill steering box reservior do the several times to be sure it is full and air is out with wheels off the ground...takes 2hours to complete...cheap fix....

Output shaft... that sounds about right. It looked like something that would be fairly simple, and I'm glad to hear it is. Thanks alot for the help, and the details of making sure it's full.

I'll go to NAPA tomorrow and see if I can get a new seal.

This what I'm looking for, right?
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=NPS&PartNumber=7205&Description=Power+Steering+Gear+Pitman+Shaft+Compl ete+Seal+Kit is

yes that is the steering pitman arm output shaft seal kit and its not a quick easy job you will need to have a pitman arm puller tool about 20 bucks at most auto parts stored and you will need to be able to pull the retainer and parts out of the bottom of the box and it is really messy, you should get a diagram exploded view of a gm steering box for a car or s-series truck from the 70s or 80s so you can see what you are going to have to do

it is easy for someone who has taken many of these boxes apart and only takes a little while, but to someone who has never it will be VERY interesting

the way i would go about it personally is to remove the top cover of the box and the pitman arm and pull the cover and sector shaft out of the box(from above( do not loosen the adjusting nut on the top cover BTW)

and then pull the retainer and seal and packing out of the box underneath where the output shaft sticks out for the pitman arm to go on

this leak is a somewhat common leak, although of all the over 100 different 70s and 80s GM cars and trucks i have owned since 94 only very few have had this leak

but it happens

if its not a severe leak IE dripping badly or anything then i would leave it be

i usually run 10w30 oil in my p/s systems, it makes for nice slick steering although it makes for slow steering when its below freezing until the engine warms up good, and will stop the leak

i convert most of my GM power steering to engine oil regardless if they are leaking or not




good luck



Output shaft... that sounds about right. It looked like something that would be fairly simple, and I'm glad to hear it is. Thanks alot for the help, and the details of making sure it's full.

I'll go to NAPA tomorrow and see if I can get a new seal.

This what I'm looking for, right?
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=NPS&PartNumber=7205&Description=Power+Steering+Gear+Pitman+Shaft+Compl ete+Seal+Kit is

yes that is the steering pitman arm output shaft seal kit and its not a quick easy job you will need to have a pitman arm puller tool about 20 bucks at most auto parts stored and you will need to be able to pull the retainer and parts out of the bottom of the box and it is really messy, you should get a diagram exploded view of a gm steering box for a car or s-series truck from the 70s or 80s so you can see what you are going to have to do

it is easy for someone who has taken many of these boxes apart and only takes a little while, but to someone who has never it will be VERY interesting

the way i would go about it personally is to remove the top cover of the box and the pitman arm and pull the cover and sector shaft out of the box(from above( do not loosen the adjusting nut on the top cover BTW)

and then pull the retainer and seal and packing out of the box underneath where the output shaft sticks out for the pitman arm to go on

this leak is a somewhat common leak, although of all the over 100 different 70s and 80s GM cars and trucks i have owned since 94 only very few have had this leak

but it happens

if its not a severe leak IE dripping badly or anything then i would leave it be

i usually run 10w30 oil in my p/s systems, it makes for nice slick steering although it makes for slow steering when its below freezing until the engine warms up good, and will stop the leak

i convert most of my GM power steering to engine oil regardless if they are leaking or not




good luck


randy i did one on 85 cutlass and it was easy.....the snap ring tool and pitman arm puller is available at store for free...also there is no need to dismantle the steering box as with engine running and retainer ring removed when steering wheel is turned hard left/right the seal blows out


this took me 1.5hrs as it took some time to fill/purge the steering fluid...the most important thing is to keep both wheels off the ground when filling/purging system so as to not damage the pump...


i never done one, my co worker said, it was an easy job, and i too found this easy...it can be messy, but if you use plastic sheet, and some material to absorb spills , it can be controlled...

Pitman arm puller? What's that >.> I'm picking up my part kit from NAPA tomorrow, though I won't actually be able to install it untill the snow melts.

What adjusting nut? There's only one nut on the top of the unit as I recall....

Pitman arm puller? What's that >.> I'm picking up my part kit from NAPA tomorrow, though I won't actually be able to install it untill the snow melts.

What adjusting nut? There's only one nut on the top of the unit as I recall....

there is no adjusting nut BUT you must install pitman arm back exactly as it come off..... mark arm/shaft first then remove.....to double check after installing arm center steering wheel and tires should point to the front parrallel to side of vehicle....you will need a pitman arm puller to force off the arm then remove C retainer clip then start engine with wheels off the ground turn hard right /left and bad seal will blow out..

clean off all rust then remove nut and pitman arm this will make it easier.......


i use prestone power steering fluid it is a very good match for gm pumps.....get 32oz...

Well, my parts came with a handy diagram and instruction page, which goes into a frightening amount of detail, this is sounding more and more complex by the minute.... maybe it's something I should just leave to the professionals....

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/LastScan.jpg?t=1208055304
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/LastScan2.jpg?t=1208055333

Here's a pic of the actual unit, for the heck of it.

There's a puddle right there at the bottom end of that shiney-ish metal plate, and the entire unit is just caked with dirt and greese (probably old power steering fluid)
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/Car/IM000319.jpg?t=1208133696

Here's a pic of the actual unit, for the heck of it.

There's a puddle right there at the bottom end of that shiney-ish metal plate, and the entire unit is just caked with dirt and greese (probably old power steering fluid)
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/Car/IM000319.jpg?t=1208133696



i never seen that type i got manuals and looking at your instruction sheet diagram this saginaw rotary gear is different than the one in your
vehicle....it appears that the top is leaking under the snap ring ...the end housing plug O ring is in need of replacement.... i thought it was the pitman arm shaft seal underneath that was leaking....



this i don't know how to do i only did the bottom seal....


the ones i have use bolts on top no snap ring you unbolt the top and replace the side cover gasket...


have you tried power steering fluid stop leak by prestone.... i have had good luck with this fluid... since it is just a non moving part it will most likely work .....suck out the old fluid and give it a go....

looking at the manual it states if leaking at the nut tighten nut or replace the nut...so if it is leaking at the nut there must be some gasket like on oil pan to prevent leak....this is the top most part called the adjuster nut....if you replace nut just count the turns when removing and tighten the same amount....place marks on nut so that you will put back as originally set.. use allen to hold centre stud from rotating if this is the case...this is the worm bearing preload ....if this center stud does not rotate this is how to keep it in proper adjustment....but the locking nut is just a nut that prevents this stud from rotating...

Well, there was $14 well spent...

Yeah, when I first saw the diagram I thought it looked a little bit different... And as you can see, there is only one nut on the top of the unit... I think this is still the pitman arm, because it's in the same place as it is on the diagram.... argh, I dunno... definitely something for the professionals now.

Well, there was $14 well spent...

Yeah, when I first saw the diagram I thought it looked a little bit different... And as you can see, there is only one nut on the top of the unit... I think this is still the pitman arm, because it's in the same place as it is on the diagram.... argh, I dunno... definitely something for the professionals now.

clean up that area and see if that nut is leaking this was in the book as a leak area....

I've cleaned the area up before... that's why the metal plate is shiny, unlike everything arround it... I can't really tell if it's coming from the nut, or arround the rim...

I wouldn't bother if it were a small leak, but last summer I went through 1, and 3/4 quarts of fluid... I did try stop-leak, and it seemed to have worked for a little while, but only for a month or two...

I've cleaned the area up before... that's why the metal plate is shiny, unlike everything arround it... I can't really tell if it's coming from the nut, or arround the rim...

I wouldn't bother if it were a small leak, but last summer I went through 1, and 3/4 quarts of fluid... I did try stop-leak, and it seemed to have worked for a little while, but only for a month or two...

because its been leaking pretty good you have probably replaced a good amount of fluid...the seals will shrink because of fluid breakdown...try the prestone steering fluid with sealer... this does work... and to find if nut is leaking use a white cloth clean area with mineral spirits no carb cleaner! and start engine and have assistant turn wheel you should be able to see quickly exactly whats leaking....if it is the nut that should not be expensive...

Well, I got arround to running the test this morning, and you were right.... it was obvious where it was leaking from pretty damned fast... I can't believe I've gone through as little fluid as I have with as much stuff came out of there :eek:

Unfortunately, it was not under the nut :banghead: , it came out of the circled area on the included picture....

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/Midnight_Fenrir/Car/IM000319-1.jpg?t=1208572825