While changing frame bushings, I found a puddle under the oil filter area but it turned out to be steering fluid leaking from the 'top' of the power steering gear box, just downhill from the ragjoint. Its a tight ratio PS system from the factory. Is this a bad sign needing immediate action or something that can limp along as long as fluid is kept up?
Id rather not have to dig into this if I dont have too this summer. bummer :(

It isn't likely to get instantly worse. But it's a fairly easy fix to replace the seal inside the top.
You have to loosen the large thin nut, then unscrew the plug around the input shaft which has two holes in it. Once you get it to start turning, it should unscrew by hand.
In the center of the plug, there is a seal with flat rubber washer over it, and I think a snap ring. just change the seal which you can buy at an auto parts store.

The seal varies according to year so get the seal for the year car your box came in.

Check to make sure it is not a leak from the hose joints and dripping onto the steering box, making it appear to be the top seal.

thanks David and Step, will take a closer look this weekend. Guessing the rag joint has to come apart to replace those seals, with the a/c and pwr steering booster and junk in the way, is it best to do this from under the car, or over the fender reaching around the brake lines etc? :)

Jim – There are two seals in the plug. The outer one is a just a dust seal.
StrgGearBlowUp.jpg (http://geocities.com/sdampier@sbcglobal.net/Team_Camaro/StrgGearBlowUp.jpg)

Don’t turn the upper shaft with the lock ring and plug removed. If you do the shaft will unscrew from the rack and the balls will fall out! You can help prevent this by having the box at the full left lock before you remove the large upper shaft nut and plug. This will position the rack all the way up on the shaft. In this position if the upper shaft does turn some the ball won’t fall out.

I would wait until the off season, remove the box from the car and get it up on the bench to repair it.

great pic of the whole unit, thanks. I will keep an eye on how bad it leaks, hopefully I can hold off till winter and bench it like you said Steve. :)

Here is a link to some information I used to rebuild my Saginaw steering gear.

Steeringbox (http://geocities.com/sdampier@sbcglobal.net/Team_Camaro/Steeringbox)