How do I get rid of Dirt or sand in Steering Box?

[sixpack_sid]

I sandblasted my engine bay with the steering box in the car. The nipple where the return hose goes in looks like it may have some sand in it. I did tape everything up before I blasted. I don't know if it's sand, or dirt. It's been so long that it's been taped up, we're talking a couple years. Is there a filter in the steering box that would catch the dirt? I tried to pull out what I could.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Sid

[Piston_Freddy]

Is it a rebuilt box? If not, then I would take it all apart and rebuilt it - paint it too of course.If its starts leaking when the engine is in...

[Patronus]

vacuum? 

[oldcarnut]

Why not just unbolt the piece and see if the crud got down in it very far and clean out the fittings after it's off?  There's no filter but if you try to pull any out you may be dislodging stuff to fall in.  Look here and you find what you would see with it off.
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,67669.0.html

[tan top]

sand in there or rust etc  ,  only thing to do is take it appart