My dumbass heated the pitman arm to assist the puller a little bit when I took it off a few months ago and it was leaking just turning the wheel in the garage. I remembered not to heat it because it would ruin the seals after I heated it. Should I rebuild the box or just change the bottom seal?

I tried once to rebuild a box when I got my first CJ and after all the balls spilled on the floor and couldn't find a few I opted to get a salvage yard box and then when that leaked had a local shop rebuild it. I think I have learned a few things through the years since my last attempt and would like to succeed this time.

Anybody do this? I need tips, tricks and any opinions that will either help me attempt or not attemp this project again.

It is for my 85 CJ7 power steering gearbox.
I did a search and only came up with a couple of posts on the LandCruiser board about Scout boxs and everybody said not to do it.

Where can i get a good rebuild book on the matter? I remember the sheet that came with the rebuild kit was too short and sweet for my inexperienced self.

Does it leak?

If not leave it alone, it's happy...messing with it couild ruin it's contentment.

The seal can survive some heat if you don't go wild with it. If it does start to leak around the shaft just do the seal...if the box works why mess with it? heat will only ruin the seal, not the bearings and gears and junk unles you got WAY to happy with the blue wrench

I would just reseal the sector shaft and forget the rest.
Just pull the pitman arm off and then center the steering between locks. then remove the 4 bolts in the top of the box and tap the bottom of the shaft upwards to get it out. Use some snap ring pliers to remove the clip and then the seals. Then just reasseble it in reverse order. As long as youdidn't move the steering you should be able to line up the three teeth on the sector shaft and tap it all back together. Be careful not to twist the piston gears or things wont line up. If you do it's no big deal, just use some thing to twist them back up and try again.
If you run into any problems I'll be glad to help.

Yea,

It is leaking from the bottom with out even turning the Jeep on.

Thanks LakeRat, that is what I will do. That sounds a lot easier than rebuilding it.