Leaky Steering Gear?

[vangremlin]

So when I pulled my Eagle into the garage to put in a new heater core, there was an ever-increasing puddle of brownish fluid on the floor on the driver's side.  It sure looks like its coming from the steering gear - and now the power steering fluid reservoir level is below the dipstick.  Does this sound right?

Time for a new steering gear or can the leak be fixed?  It doesn't look like its coming out of the hoses.  I've read Eaglefreek's posts about swapping in a Cherokee steering gear, and that sounds like the way to go.  Anybody else do the Cherokee upgrade?  Thanks.

[mudkicker715]

i have done the cherokee gear swap its plug and play. the gear is somewhat tighter. meaning less turns lock to lock

[IowaEagle]

Give us the years for application MK.  Thanks.

[mudkicker715]

i used an 89. so when that might have changed idk. you could even use other gm car applications.

[vangremlin]

Here is Eaglefreek's write up.

http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=37299.0;all

And in another thread, he provided this link, which tells which years can be used:

http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2007/09/01/hmn_feature21.html

[carnuck]

Pitman arm is different, so do that while it's out.

[eaglefreek]

You can just replace the sector shaft seal that is leaking. Pop of the pitman arm with a puller, Remove snap ring, put bucket under steering box, start engine and turn wheel to the left. The old seal should pop out. As Jim said, I would also suggest replacing the pitman arm if it you have no idea how old it is.

[mudkicker715]

My 89 pitman arm was an exact identical.

[eaglefreek]

My 89 pitman arm was an exact identical.

89 Jeep? Jeep's typically have a pitman arm with just a hole where as the Eagle has a balljoint.
AMC

Jeep

[mudkicker715]

i can only say from memory. maybe i changed the pitman arm than? i don't recall doing that. however my memory does tell me it was atleast the identical angle.