Power Steering Gearbox.

[91GMEric]

Well today I went an bought a new hi press line for my ps pump(leaking), well it fixed that leak an now my gearbox is dripping quite abit. So now I have to replace this. Can anybody chime in an offer help/tips/diy guide. Id appreciate it. I just changed my timing chain so im pissed that I have to repull alt an ps again.


Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[sly]

bah... I've done that chasing leaks bit. sucks. but it's nice when it's done and doesn't leak any more.

[91GMEric]

Man ive never had it leak free, I fixed my timing chain gasket I was drip free, now this. Just gettin bummed out, its like she doesnt want me to fix her.

[91GMEric]

Did some more investigating. Looks like it might just be my pitman arm seal that is leaking, looked inside a plastic covering that surrounds part of my gearbox an arm. I could see fluids, ill do a running test in better lighting but should have pics up soon

[gadget73]

The leak point will almost always be the seal at the output or input. You can change them, but if the box has miles it may be worth just swapping it. its really not that involved. Unhook the lines, unbolt the input shaft, remove the pitman arm, then remove the 3 bolts that hold it to the frame of the car. Reverse to install the new one. replace the hoses while you're in there. They are probably petrified. If the pitman arm has any slop, you may as well put a new one of those on too. No sense re-installing a worn out part if its already off.

[pantera77]

Man ive never had it leak free, I fixed my timing chain gasket I was drip free, now this. Just gettin bummed out, its like she doesnt want me to fix her.

It's a 23 year old car. It's to be expected.

[91GMEric]

Ok im ordering a gearbox right now so is there anything else ill need? Seals/gaskets/special tools

[91GMEric]

It's a 23 year old car. It's to be expected.

Ya for sure its expected, just she never wants to be fixed it feels like she wants to goto a jy, but I wont let it happen.

[91GMEric]

The leak point will almost always be the seal at the output or input. You can change them, but if the box has miles it may be worth just swapping it. its really not that involved. Unhook the lines, unbolt the input shaft, remove the pitman arm, then remove the 3 bolts that hold it to the frame of the car. Reverse to install the new one. replace the hoses while you're in there. They are probably petrified. If the pitman arm has any slop, you may as well put a new one of those on too. No sense re-installing a worn out part if its already off.

Will a new gearbox save me the trouble of replacing the output or input seal? Im just a little confused on what ill need when I buy the gearbox

[sly]

no seals needed for the hoses... you'll just need more fluid. Have someone else crank it and move the steering lock to lock a few times to purge the air as you can add fluid as it sucks it down to fill the gaps left by the air removal. 2 quarts should be plenty but get 3 in case of spillage or leakage at the compression seats (without a torque wrench, those can sometimes be trial and error to get tight enough without getting stupid tight).

[91GMEric]

no seals needed for the hoses... you'll just need more fluid. Have someone else crank it and move the steering lock to lock a few times to purge the air as you can add fluid as it sucks it down to fill the gaps left by the air removal. 2 quarts should be plenty but get 3 in case of spillage or leakage at the compression seats (without a torque wrench, those can sometimes be trial and error to get tight enough without getting stupid tight).

I was asking if i need any special tools(pitman arm puller? Not sure what i need)

And does the gearbox come with a sealkit or anything? I just want to get this done right. The first time.

[sly]

yes, you will need the pitman arm puller. But other than that... if you leave everything else in the steering linkage connected, no more special tools should be needed. Just a good set of open end wrenches for the hoses and sockets for the mounting bolts. of course, a catch pan for the old one and the fluid it will spill.

Also, be sure to center the steering before starting the job so that once you've centered the new box, everything will go together and you won't need an alignment shop to mess with it.

[gadget73]

I like flare nut wrenches for the lines. Makes life less painful. They tend to round off with regular open end wrenches.

A new box comes with seals installed. No need to buy anything else. I would replace the hoses though. They tend to leak once disturbed. When you do the lower hose, remove the hose clamp from the pump and carefully slice the hose off. If you try and pull it off, it'll probably break the nipple on the pump. Its just plastic, so don't wrench on it too much.

Most auto parts places will rent a pitman arm puller. Have a good long breaker bar to get the large nut off of the bottom of the box, and to run the puller. The arm is going to be on there pretty tight. If you don't want to screw with all that, just leave the arm on the old box and remove it from the center link end. That end comes free easier. You will need a new pitman arm if you do this.

You'll also need fluid to replace what gets lost. A quart of Type F should probably do the job. The system doesn't hold a huge amount of fluid.

[sly]

I don't have that issue since I have wall-grabber open end wrenches so I forget about that.

[91GMEric]

Thank you very much guys, I was thinking of buying a new pitman arm anyway. So justt keep my tires straight an im good? If I do it this way will i need a puller?