steering box question on '76 2.0L

[deadaheadub]

I couldn't find much in Muir or Bentley to answer this question I have. I just recently acquired my bus from my brother; it was my dad's and has been in the family since he bought it in 1980. I'm trying to catch up fixing all the things that have deteriorated since my bro had it. I noticed the steering box is leaking. What does that mean? It seems to steer just fine. What do I need to do about it? Repack it? How? Replace it? Thanks

[Amskeptic]

I couldn't find much in Muir or Bentley to answer this question I have. I just recently acquired my bus from my brother; it was my dad's and has been in the family since he bought it in 1980. I'm trying to catch up fixing all the things that have deteriorated since my bro had it. I noticed the steering box is leaking. What does that mean? It seems to steer just fine. What do I need to do about it? Repack it? How? Replace it? Thanks

Commonly, the pitman arm shaft gets wobbly due to chronic mis-adjustment or neglect and wallows out the seal along the side of the box. There is also a seal at the steering flange on the top of the box. This rarely leaks copiously being up there at the top. Sometimes the cover plate gasket leaks a little. Worthy of ignoring. Check for proper quantity of gear oil at the fill plug, also at the top of the box where you can barely find it. Clean around the plug. Then fill-er-up. That's the rule.

Keep it well-adjusted. It is in the Bentley. So is disassembly for the early boxes. Please put your model year in the subject header as you post in the appropriate forum... that will help us develop a search function that actually helps.
Colin

[deadaheadub]

Thanks, Colin. Got me a project now at the top of Saturday's to-do list. If the seal is shot, are there replacements?

[Amskeptic]

Thanks, Colin. Got me a project now at the top of Saturday's to-do list. If the seal is shot, are there replacements?

A little late to the response, but yes, seals are available. Gear guts are not available on the later boxes.