Power Steering Leak At Fitting

[Nitekruizer]

Well, I'm finally getting back to working on my Bump. I'm almost at the point where I should be able to fire up the engine and take her for a quick run, just to see what's what. I find that I'm still having an annoying problem though. There is a stubborn leak where the Pressure Hose attaches to the steering gear. I have tried tightening the fitting. I have disconnected the hose and cleaned the fitting. The hose end, connector and flare all appear to be okay. I have tried cleaning the threaded hole in the gear as best as I can. When I reinstall the hose it still leaks. I'm beginning to wonder if it's possible that the hose is pushing the seat further into the hole when I tighten it. I that possible? Shouldn't the seat, if it can move, have bottomed out by now? I mean, the fitting feels tight with the wrench.

I do need to order some new Brake Hoses, but didn't want to have to buy a new Power Steering Hose, especially if the hose isn't the problem. What I really don't want to have to do though is remove the Steering Gearbox. I really cant afford a new gear right now. What do you guys think? Should I try a new hose? Is the problem with the Steering Gearbox and, if so, is it something that can be fixed while the gearbox is still in the truck? I should mention that this is the Ford Saginaw Gear. Thanks.

[Busboy]

I had exactly the same problem with my Bendix steering gear box on my 67 f-100. Looking closely at the seat I could see that there was a witness mark where the steel line sealed against the brass seat. Nothing I did would stop the leak. Finally I put a very thin copper washer on the seat that would act as a new surface for the tube to seal against. It worked great. You might try it. Napa should have an assortment of washers, or a good hardware store. Now if only I could keep my steering gearbox from leaking out of the input shaft I would be happy.

[Nitekruizer]

I had exactly the same problem with my Bendix steering gear box on my 67 f-100. Looking closely at the seat I could see that there was a witness mark where the steel line sealed against the brass seat. Nothing I did would stop the leak. Finally I put a very thin copper washer on the seat that would act as a new surface for the tube to seal against. It worked great. You might try it. Napa should have an assortment of washers, or a good hardware store. Now if only I could keep my steering gearbox from leaking out of the input shaft I would be happy.

Thanks Busboy, I'll give that a try.