Is the nut on a slotted bolt? If so that's your adjuster. Using a wrench on the nut and a large screwdriver on the slotted bolt, loosen the nut making sure the bolt doesn't turn. Once the nut is loose, hold it in place with the wrench and screw the bolt in (clockwise) until it stops. Then back it off 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Hold the bolt in place and tighten the nut.

Now your steering box is adjusted for minimum play. Will it fix the leak? Maybe. Maybe not. It's a common leakage point, you either live with it or get your steering box rebuilt/replaced.

Last edited by Boogyman (July 3, 2016 4:55 am)

If that fails would stop leak do it? Is it any good?

I've had good luck with Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak. It gets two thumbs up from me.

Mick cockerill wrote:

Do you have to add it gradually as the power steering drops or drain the system down?

I guess both would be the answer. The last time I used it was when I rebuilt the engine, so I had the power steering pump and reservoir out for cleaning and painting. When refilling the reservoir I put in a whole bottle of the Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak, 500ml I believe, and then topped up with Type F trans fluid. Any subsequent weeping was replaced with more Lucas and it has been good for a few years now.

So, if your leak is fairly bad, I would suck some of the fluid out of the system and give it a good dose of stop leak. It won`t hurt anything and I think Lucas says their fluid can be added up to two bottles (1 l) without worry. My experince has been great, it is nice to not leave fluid drips under the car, especially without replacing, or rebuilding my steering gear.

Last edited by 70XL (July 5, 2016 1:58 pm)

Mick cockerill wrote:

Thanks. Gonna try boogeymans method first and if fails gonna sling a bottle of stop leak init. Will post and let you know what happens. Thanks again

Be careful adjusting that  tension adjuster. I fiddled with the adjuster on my '88 F150 and messed it up a bit at first. I over did it and it took a long time to get it back to a more acceptable tension. Make small adjustments at a time and sneak up on any changes you are trying to make. If the steering is not overly loose, then maybe just breaking things open and re-seating the screw and lock nut will be enough to stop the leak.