Not sure if this is the right forum. If it isn't please advise....

I have a pwr steering leak which appears to be coming from where the hoses go into the steering box.

96 F150 XLT, 5L, 4Wd ~129k/mi

My questions -
Are O-rings used where those flare nuts go into the steering box?
If so, is O ring special material?
Are those nuts hard to get off?
Any special tools required?
Can I use regular transmission fluid to refill or is there some special fluid to keep from eating the seal again?
oh and is there some special procedure to bleed after a fluid change/refill?

Thanks for any help,
Gumby

 

you will have to replace the whole hose. id recommend soaking the flare nut in wd 40 , pb blaster. little tip.if you can get a cut off tool or grinder or anything to cut metal. it should be metal tubing going into the flare connection. cut right above that connection. that way you can get a socket on there. those things are usully rusted on good. you have to get a new hose anyway so...the new hose will come with o rings etc.... replace that fill it up with mercon tranny fluid.then take the cap off the resevoir. turn on the truck ,turn the wheel lock to lock .all the way left ,all the way right. that should get most of the air out. you should be all set

 

Are O-rings used where those flare nuts go into the steering box? No
If so, is O ring special material? N/A
Are those nuts hard to get off? Not really.
Any special tools required? Not really, but maybe flare nut wrenches.
Can I use regular transmission fluid to refill or is there some special fluid to keep from eating the seal again? Yes, use normal ATF, as specified in your owner's manual.
oh and is there some special procedure to bleed after a fluid change/refill? No. Just turn the wheel lock-to-lock a few times with the engine idling & top up as needed.


But before you go replacing anything, wash it all down & then find the exact source of the leak. ATF travels uphill, and the hoses aren't known to leak. Usually, it's the reservoir O-ring, the pressure fitting O-rings, or the steering box itself.

 

the pressure hose like anything else it can develop a leak. input shaft seals and the pitman seal as well.if its the pressure hose it will **** all over the place.

 

Did you ever fix this? I am having the same problem, with the high pressure side. I just replaced the steering box, but I can't get the leak to stop...