Steering box

[DieselSharker]

I've had a steering leak since I bought the truck and typically have to top off at least every fuel stop. I've also had the typical 1st gen sloppy steering but it already has a Borgeson shaft. I went and wobbled the shaft down by the u joints and I can turn it at least 15 degrees without the wheels moving. Here you can see it looks like it's leaking from the input and it feels like all that play is coming from the box. Any ideas?

[Philip]

That shaft on the steering box is moving in and out. That upper cap needs tightened down some.

The seal kit for that shaft is #J8130157

That is a Dodge number also.

[PToombs]

On the play, loosen that large nut with a hammer and punch, then try to gently tap to turn the center piece in. There are 2 holes for a spanner in the face of it. If you can find a spanner that fits, it's better than the hammer/ punch method.

On the leak, I don't think you can get it to stop. My shaft was rusty like that, and it didn't leak for a month after I resealed it. Then it was back to dripping. I ended up replacing the whole center assembly with the one from my donor truck, and I didn't reseal that one, just put it in.
The good thing was, the truck used to feel real quick when you turned the wheel, like it had too much power steering. When I put the new piece in, I tightened it up and it was slightly stiff, so I backed it out about 1/8 of a turn, and it feels just perfect. I was reading in the FSM after I had done it, and I by luck did it just about how I was supposed to.

[Ace]

Looks like the PO whacked the input seal in the process of removing the stock coulper for the Borgeson install.