Remove Steering Box or Repack Bearings

[jpetropoulos]

So we had a leaky box and decided to replace the gaskets. In doing so, in opening up the bottom plate, the bearings of course fell out of the box and now we need to repack the bearings. We are having a difficult time getting the box off of the vehicle. The drop arm is so tight that it will not budge. There is no room for a puller (LH Drive). Does anyone have any secrets that will help us to either remove the box / drop arm, or, better yet, repack the bearings without removing the box?

[slowpatina]

@jpetropoulos I imagine you've sorted this by now but curious if you ended up using a tool like a ball joint splitter to 'push' off the drop arm, instead of a puller? (albeit with solid whacks!)

Also curious if you used grease or oil (EP90, etc) in the steering box? I'm looking for grease recommendations to limit seeping/leaking vs. messing with removing the drop arm and replacing the O-ring.