i have a leak out of stearing drag link shaft on box. has antbody been able to just change seal or am i going to have to bite the bulet and get new box. and where is the best place to purchase? thank you for any input 2001 4x4 with 200k, original box

 

Pull the pitman arm off and get ahold of a nice pick set and snap ring pliers. Ive just ordered the seal kit from the parts store.

 

Clean the rust out of the snap ring groove good. On my F350 the seal blew out because the rust built up under the snap ring and it blew right out of the groove.

 

I just did mine not too long ago. $12 from Autozone for the Pittman shaft seal kit.
The easy way to get the old seal out is to remove the Pittman arm. Remove the snap ring. Put the Pittman arm nut on. Start the engine, turn the wheel to the lock counting how many turns. The seal will be blown right out.
Then return the wheel to where you started and install the new seal kit. You will make a mess so use a catch pan.