FIL just called, F150 steering issue HELP

[dwcopple]

2003 2wd 4.6L crew cab short bed. Fluid dumped everywhere. he says looking at it from underside, something that attaches to the tie rods looks like it dropped down and now there is a leak, massive puddle. I know that isn't much info, but after going on fordparts.com the exploded view of the steering components leaves me to believe that it is a gearbox failure of some sort, not a pump issue. Any ideas? He wants me to fix it if I can.

 

[oggb]

Did one of the rods/seals blow out of the rack? That's all I can think of.

 

[dwcopple]

it's the gearbox. I just emailed him a link to the part on AAP's site and he said that's it. He says one of the seals on the splined shaft is gone and it dumped. Weird. He is gonna try taking it off himself and send it down to me tomorrow with my wife (MIL watches our kids on Tuesday.) The part has a core xchange so I will buy it for him with a coupon code. Any thoughts on Fenco units?

 

[gomes512]

I replaced the box in my truck with a Fenco as it was sloppy as all [censored]. That was back in 2009 and it now has 33K. It's hasn't leaked as of yet so I have no complaints.

 

[eljefino]

I have a fenco PS pump in my dakota and it was a hassle to assemble, I had to put the reservoir and pulley on the stupid thing.

Your pitman arm may be about this much fun.

 

[dwcopple]

Not mine, thank goodness. He just called and said what a PITA the removal process is. He is hung up on one of the PS lines and also a large nut on the pitman arm I guess.