I am in the process of replacing my steering box with a re-built unit. While taking the control arm off of the steering box, the shaft gasket got pretty beat up. The re-built unit did not come with this gasket. I am assuming it needs to be there??

Any ideas where I can find a replacement?

 

That's looks more like a pressed in "seal". This is on my short list to complete. Let me know how it goes. The process looks pretty straight forward

 

Yes, it is a pretty straight-forward job IF you have the right tools. I did not have the right tools at first and had to get them. First, I needed a ball-joint removal tool to remove the ball-joint at the end of the drop arm. Then I needed a Pitman Arm removal tool to remove the drop arm from the steering box. I bought both of these tools at Harbor Freight. I did have to grind down the Pitman Arm removal tool a bit for it to fit properly. Both tools did do the job just fine. Do not use a "pickle fork" tool for the ball-joint. I tried this at first and only tore the boot on the ball-joint. I will probably need to replace that ball-joint because of the torn boot.

I also had difficultly in removing the power steering lines to the box. They pull straight out, but mine were really, really tough to get out.

As far as that missing seal goes, it looks like it might just be a dust shield, so I am probably going to be fine to put it back together without the seal.

I'll comment again once the job is finished (hopefully in the next few days) and let you know how it turned out.

 

One more thing -- I don't know if you saw my previous post about the proper socket size for the big nut on the drop arm, but I found that a 1-5/8" socket does work.