Power steering leak- Hard to fix?

Hey guys, I've got a '78 F150 Ranger 302/C4 with an intermittent power steering leak. Usually it leaks worse the further I drive. It's not bad or doesn't leak at all after short trips. As far as I can tell, its dripping out of the steering-arm shaft seal. I haven't had time to look at it closer, but if that is it, is it a difficult task to replace this seal?

Any suggestions?

PS-
I almost forgot to mention, IT JUST ROLLED 300,000 MILES!!!

Originally Posted by 3ondatree

Hey guys, I've got a '78 F150 Ranger 302/C4 with an intermittent power steering leak. Usually it leaks worse the further I drive. It's not bad or doesn't leak at all after short trips. As far as I can tell, its dripping out of the steering-arm shaft seal. I haven't had time to look at it closer, but if that is it, is it a difficult task to replace this seal?

Any suggestions?

PS-
I almost forgot to mention, IT JUST ROLLED 300,000 MILES!!!

The sector shaft seal can be replaced on the vehicle. The trick with 300,000 miles on the chassis is that the sector shaft bushing (and possibly the sector shaft itself) is worn.

Is this a difficult task best accomplished at the shop? Are there any special tools required (ie for removing the seal, etc.)?

You can replace the seal on the car. Remove the pitman arm, dust seal and the oil seal will be visable.

You can remove it with a seal removal tool (pick). There is a special service tool(s) to do all of this but usually you can find a large socket (or fashion a driver out of pipe with cap) to knock it in. A trick (if the sector shaft and bushing is OK) is to install two seals (piggyback).

A reman box should not be that much.

If you feel uncomfortable doing it, a shop should not charge much over an hour to do it.

Thanks! That doesn't sound bad - I just didn't want to rip into it in the driveway and realize I was in over my head.