Ferrari 365 Door Panel Fix Steering Box Leak and
![](http://tomyang.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/11667_19.jpg)
I’ve been making small improvements to a newly acquired 365GT 2+2 at my shop and the owner asked me to see what I could do about a couple of dents in the door panel trim.
![](http://tomyang.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/11667_18.jpg)
The 365GT 2+2 has an aluminum door panel trim with a particular herringbone pattern that I have not been able to source. If you recall, the 330s and 275GTBs have a similar panel, but the pattern can be found from a 1957 Chevrolet Belaire tail fin, but the 365 is different.
This unfortunate dent came from having a seat belt caught between the driver’s side seat and the door when it was closed.
![](http://tomyang.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/11667_20.jpg)
After taking the door panel apart and removing the aluminum trim, I carefully tapped out the dent with some cold chisels I ground dull and smooth. The marks were still there, but a lot less noticeable.
![](http://tomyang.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/11667_15.jpg)
A larger annoyance was a steering box oil leak. Power steering fluid was leaking out of the steering box, dripping down the pitman arm, and dripping down all over the driver’s side of the car.
![](http://tomyang.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/11667_16.jpg)
Before I unbolted the pitman arm, I confirmed there was a mark on the shaft and the arm to line up the parts when I put everything back together.
![](http://tomyang.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/11667_17.jpg)
Originally, I was planning on removing the seal with the steering box in place. I borrowed Francois’ special low profile pitman arm tool that worked perfectly on manual steering boxes, but found the clearance was different with the power steering unit. Since I was replacing all the tie rod ends on the front suspension, it was easy to remove the steering box and replace the seal on the bench.