Power Steering Gear; Power Steering System Leak Inspection - Jeep 1987 Wrangler Workshop Manual

STEERING AND FRONT AXLE
POWER STEERING GEAR
POWER STEERING SYSTEM LEAK INSPECTION
Raise and support the vehicle.
Clean the exterior surfaces of the gear, pump,
hoses, and fittings thoroughly.
Check and correct fluid level in the pump
reservoir.
Check for aerated fluid which can cause
overflow from the reservoir and be mistaken for
a leak.
Check and tighten the hose connections at the
gear and the pump if necessary.
Start the engine. Have a helper turn the steering
wheel left and right while checking for leak
sources. Contact the stops momentarily in each
direction. Stop the engine when the leak source
is identified.
Steering gear leaks can develop in the following
areas.
• hoses and fittings
• adjuster plug O-ring
• stub shaft seals
• steering gear housing core plug
• torsion bar seal (replace valve body assembly
if seal leaks)
• side cover locknut and cover gasket
• pitman shaft seals
• end plug gasket
• cracked or porous gear housing
PITMAN SHAFT SEAL REPLACEMENT
Raise and support the vehicle. Place the front
wheels in a straight ahead position.
Remove the front stabilizer bar.
Disconnect the center link from the pitman arm.
Mark the pitman arm and shaft for assembly
reference and disconnect the arm with puller
J 6632-01.
J 6632-01
84769
Position a drain pan under the steering gear
pitman shaft.
Remove the outer seal retaining ring (1) with
snap ring pliers and remove the outer seal
backup washer (2).
Q-71