POWER STEERING GEAR BOX LEAK, I have a leak on the gear box, which appears to come from where the steering column/shaft enters the gear box. Does anyone know how to repair such a leak, what are procedures, can the DIY repair this type of problem. Or does it require replacing whole unit, with a rebuilt one. Has anyone come across a breakdown manual/schematic for these units. 1992 Jeep Cherokee Sport Inline-6 engine. Thanx, Alfredo Alaniz

I am not familiar with the design of that steering gear but I expect there is an internal leak in the steering box that is allowing more pressure on the column shaft seal than it can cope with.

I believe such a leak would signal the need for a complete reseal and maybe an overhaul. Considering the age it wouldn't be surprising if the seals had deteriorated but equally seals can be damaged by corrosion or wear in shafts or bearings and for continued reliability these things must be checked.

Steering Rack --you replace,they are not serviced for seal leaks

Steering Box--- I doubt you have --comes out & be worked on
The pitman nut & arm comes off & you replace the sector
shaft seal at the bottom

The bubbling is just the air being removed by fluid, no problem. the foaming is just the pump action, no problem. As for the leakage, remove the pitman arm and replace the seal on shaft the pitman arm is bolted to. If you still have leakage, replace the seal in the top of the box where the column bolts to the box for it's just running down the box and looking like the leak is from the bottom seal.

if the leak is coming from the steering box there are usually only 3 places it can come from;most common place is the pitman shaft seal,which can be replaced.this is were the pitman arm of the steering connects to the steering box.another place is the steering box input shaft seal,this is were the steering colume connects to the steering box,which can be replace.the last place is the power steering hoses were they connect to the steering box.there are seals that seal the lines when screwed into the box which can also be replaced.so first you need to see exactly were the leak is coming from.rare occasions the steering box is porous which means the box will need replacing.a car of this age should have shown up long ago.you will have to clean the box off at the car wash then run the car and turn the steering wheel all the way to one side,this will build up pressure in the system to show up the leak quicker.

here hope this helps for a 98 model but very similair

1998 GMC Truck Jimmy - 4WD ' Blazer, Bravada, Jimmy, S10 Pickup, Sonoma VIN S/T Service Manual ' Steering ' Power Steering System ' Repair Instructions ' Document ID: 416283
Steering Gear Replacement (4WD) Removal Procedure Tools RequiredJ 24319-B Steering Linkage Puller
Notice: Do not rotate steering shaft after steering column has been removed. Damage to SIR components may occur.

1. Remove the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement in Engine Controls 4.3L.




2. Place a drain pan below the steering gear.
3. Remove the inlet and the outlet hoses from the power steering gear.
Cap or tape the ends of the hoses and the gear fittings in order to prevent dirt from entering the system.




4. Remove the intermediate shaft shield from the steering gear.




5. Remove the lower intermediate shaft coupling bolt.
6. Draw alignment marks on the lower intermediate shaft coupling and the steering shaft.
7. Remove the lower intermediate shaft coupling from the steering shaft.
8. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
9. Remove the steering linkage shield. Refer to Steering Linkage Shield Replacement in Steering Linkage.




10. Remove differential carrier shield mounting bolts.
11. Remove the differential carrier shield.




12. Remove the pitman arm ball stud nut at the relay rod.




13. Disconnect pitman arm from relay rod using J 24319-B .




14. Remove the steering gear mounting bolts and the washers from the frame.
15. Remove the steering gear.
16. Remove the pitman arm. Refer to Pitman Arm Replacement in Steering Linkage.

Removal Procedure

Notice: Do not rotate steering shaft after steering column has been removed. Damage to SIR components may occur.

Lock the steering column through the access hole in the steering column lower trim cover using the J 42640.
Remove the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Resonator Replacement in Powertrain Management.Remove the intermediate shaft shield from the steering gear.Place a drain pan below the steering gear. Remove the pressure and the return hoses from the power steering gear. Cap or tape the ends of the hoses and the gear fittings in order to prevent dirt from entering the system.Remove the lower intermediate shaft coupling bolt. Draw alignment marks on the lower intermediate shaft coupling and the steering shaft. Remove the lower intermediate shaft coupling from the steering shaft. Remove the pitman arm. Refer to Pitman Arm Replacement.Remove the steering gear mounting bolts and the washers from the frame. Remove the steering gear.
Installation Procedure


Install the steering gear. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions. Install the power steering gear to the frame washers and the mounting bolts. Tighten Tighten the power steering gear to frame mounting bolts to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.). Install the pitman arm. Refer to Pitman Arm Replacement.Install the lower intermediate shaft to the power steering gear. Ensure that the alignment marks line up. Install the lower intermediate shaft coupling bolt. Tighten Tighten the lower intermediate shaft coupling bolt to 35 Nm (26 ft. lbs.). Install the pressure and the return hoses to the power steering gear. TightenTighten the pressure hose to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.) for the vehicle equipped with the 2.2L engines. Tighten the pressure hose to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.) for the vehicle equipped with the 4.3L engines. Tighten the return hose to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.). Install the intermediate shaft shield to the power steering gear. Install the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Resonator Replacement in Powertrain Management. Unlock the steering column by removing the J 42640 from the steering column lower steering column trim cover access hole. Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Bleeding Power Steering System in Steering / Service and Repair.

Dealer, but did you check the Power steering fluid level??or any leaks. There are two hose that connect to the gear box from the power steering pump. if the pump is low on fluid you lose your power steering, if the hose has a leak or it blew and lost the power steering fluid then you lost your power steering again. 
Check the fluid level to the power steering pump and any leaks or broken hose to the gear box.
Keep me posted, be glad to help and good luck.

if fluid is flowing out the bellows, you need to replace the steering rack assembly. There is no fluid in the area of the inner tie rod. The seal is just before the tie rod.

Steering Gear
The power rack and pinion steering gear is serviced as a power steering short rack (3L547). The front wheel spindle tie rods (3280) and tie rod ends (3A130) are serviced individually. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• The power rack and pinion steering gear incorporates quick connect fittings for the power steering pressure hose (3A719) and power steering return hose (3A713) that allow the lines to swivel. This is normal and does not indicate loose fittings.
• If the fittings leak, check to make sure they are tightened to 14-20 Nm (10-14 lb-ft). Do not overtighten.
• If the leak is not corrected, replace the fitting seals.

-------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------
Section 11-02: Steering System, Power 1997 Windstar Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Tie Rod End Steering Gear Installed
Removal

1. Remove and discard cotter pin and nut from worn tie rod end (3A130).
   

1. Disconnect tie rod end from front wheel knuckle (3K185), using Tie Rod End Remover TOOL-3290-D or equivalent.
   

1. Hold tie rod end with a wrench and loosen tie rod end jam nut.
   

1. Note depth to which tie rod end was located by using the jam nut as a marker. Grip tie rod end with a pair of suitable pliers and remove tie rod end from front wheel spindle tie rod (3280).
   

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11-02: Steering System, Power 1997 Windstar Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Steering Gear Removal

1. Raise vehicle on a twin post hoist and remove wheel and tire assemblies. Refer to Section 00-02 .
   
   
   
   
   

1. Support vehicle with jackstands under front jack pads.
   

1. Remove tie-rod end cotter pins and nuts and remove tie rod ends (3A130) from front wheel knuckle (3K185). Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Remove front stabilizer bar (5482). Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Disconnect heated oxygen and catalyst monitor sensors.
   

1. Support flex pipe.
   

1. Remove bolts and disconnect flex pipe from the converter.
   

1. Raise dash opening steering column opening weather seal (3513) (secondary) above the steering gear housing (3548).
   

1. Remove pinch bolt retaining steering column intermediate shaft coupling (3A525) to power steering gear input shaft and control (3D517) and disconnect the shaft.
   

1. Remove nuts from steering gear-to-front subframe retaining bolts. Remove bolts.
   

1. Remove rear subframe-to-body retaining bolts.
   

1. Lower twin post hoist carefully until rear of subframe (5R003) separates from body, approximately four inches.
   

1. Remove heat shield band and fold shield down.
   

1. Rotate power rack and pinion steering gear to clear bolts from front subframe (5C145) and pull left to facilitate line fitting removal.
   

1. Place a drain pan under vehicle and remove line fittings.
   

1. Remove power rack and pinion steering gear through LH wheel well.
   

1. Remove and discard the O-rings.
   

Installation

1. Install new Teflon® O-rings on line fittings as outlined.
   

1. Place steering gear retaining bolts in steering gear housing.
   

1. Install power rack and pinion steering gear through LH wheel well.
   

1. Install power steering line fittings to power rack and pinion steering gear.
   

1. Position power rack and pinion steering gear into front subframe.
   

1. Install ******** heat shield.
   

1. Install tie-rod ends to front wheel knuckle. Install nuts and new cotter pins. Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Install LH front stabilizer bar. Refer to Section 04-01 .
   

1. Install steering gear to subframe mounting nuts. Tighten to 115-135 Nm (85-99 lb-ft).
   

1. Raise hoist until rear subframe contacts body.
   

1. Install rear subframe to body retaining bolts. Tighten to 113-153 Nm (83-112 lb-ft).
   

1. Install exhaust system flex tube to dual converter Y pipe (5F250) and remove flex tube support.
   

1. Connect heated oxygen and catalyst monitor sensors.
   

1. Install tire and wheel assemblies. Tighten lug nuts (1012) to 115-142 Nm (85-104 lb-ft).
   

1. Using a new pinch bolt, install the steering column intermediate shaft coupling on the power steering gear input shaft and control and the lower steering column shaft. Tighten the pinch bolt to 34-46 Nm (25-33 lb-ft).
   

1. Position steering column opening weather seal (secondary) over the steering gear housing. Tighten nuts to 4.5-6.3 Nm (40-55 lb-in).
   

1. Remove jackstands and lower vehicle.
   

1. Fill power steering oil reservoir (3A697) with Premium Power Steering Fluid E6AZ-19582-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESW-M2C33-F. Refer to Section 11-00 .
   

1. Check system for leaks and proper operation.
   
   

The gear box is a common problem on this model. That would be the place I would start. A cheap, temporary fix is to go to your local parts store and ask for Lucas Power Steering Stop-Leak. It will buy you some time.

I just found 1 of my power steering leaks in my 1990 toy pickup. My high pressure line has a hole in it. I used a florecent die kit to locate the leak. You can get it at Autozone.