Ok, so I decided to try to find out why the gear started leaking again. I got underneath and pulled the pitman arm, leaving it attached to the ball joint. This wasn't very hard since I had it off recently but it didn't come off right away either. I did have to work on it for a little while. I then removed the radiator shroud which created enough space for me to be able to unbolt the top plate and pull out the sector shaft.

Once out I could inspect the lower seal and dust seal. And voila, the lower seal was damaged. I'm guessing when I inserted the sector shaft originally, which I had to do twice, I must have damaged the seal. So now I know to be a lot more careful when inserting the sector shaft. I think next time I will use electrical tape to cover the serrated edges of the shaft rather than duct tape. And I will also lube it really well with AT fluid. For now,, I need to find a new seal.

In taking measurements of the shaft diameter, the bore at the dust seal location, which I'm hoping is identical to the oil seal, and whatever good measurements I could get off the damaged seal, I believe what I need is a 32mm ID x 40mm OD x 5-6 mm thick seal. I'm not sure if there's a special material that I need. Maybe someone could comment? I do know it's all rubber or plastic, no metal, because it has to flex to be able to be inserted into its groove. That's why there's no snap ring. The seal is captured inside a machined groove inside the gear housing.

In trying to source this seal, I have not had a lot of luck. I can pick a close one up for about $7 on eBay from Hong Kong that's 6.4 mm thick and that I think would work. I just don't feel like waiting 2-4 weeks to get it. Does anyone out there have a domestic source? Any help would be appreciated. I'll keep posting as I progress.