The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - Looking for steering gear box rebuild thead

**PbFut** · 04-11-2022, 03:29 PM

I just finished resealing my steering box and thought I would share my experience and result.
First, end result was complete success.
Removing the box was simple but very messy. The box appears to have been leaking a long time. Truck is new to me. Replacing the steering shaft seals was very simple. I did not have a spanner wrench but using a 1/8” drill bit and wedging a screw driver against the input shaft careful not to damage the splines work perfectly and did not damage the holes. Using a punch and hammer will damage the hole some but not the end of the world if needed.
The output side of things was a bit of a challenge for me. Disassembly down to the second/inner seal was also very easy as described in the linked thread. I came upon a very stubborn inner seal that would not come out. It would not budge no matter. I spent the better part of an afternoon and next morning attempting to get that seal out. I did not have a blind seal puller that would fit. I made a tool out of hard double D rod with a lip to get by the needle bearing cage and into the small space onto the seal with no success. I ended up pressing the needle bearing cage partially out to force the seal. Then pressed the cage back into place. I was worried I would damage the cage but the net result was fine. No damage to the cage. Pressing the seals in and reassembly was smooth. I only have about 25 miles on the reseal but it is dry as a bone. Mission accomplished and only a few hairs lost.
Bottom line. The linked write up is very helpful. My box only needed the input shaft seal replaced. I took the “since I’m hear” approach and did the output side as well and it cost me a full day and some stress. It could have been way worse. Given it is relatively easy to remove and install the box, I would only repair what you know is needed so as not to get into a situation of damaging the box for no good reason. If you have a good press, pushing the needle bearing cage out is not the endo of the world. I used a medium sized Harbor Freight press that I’ve had long time with added longer legs to fit larger parts. Not expensive and very useful.
Thanks to all that posted previously. It was a great deal of help.

04-11-2022, 03:29 PM	#8
PbFut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Ca Posts: 715	Re: Looking for steering gear box rebuild thead I just finished resealing my steering box and thought I would share my experience and result. First, end result was complete success. Removing the box was simple but very messy. The box appears to have been leaking a long time. Truck is new to me. Replacing the steering shaft seals was very simple. I did not have a spanner wrench but using a 1/8” drill bit and wedging a screw driver against the input shaft careful not to damage the splines work perfectly and did not damage the holes. Using a punch and hammer will damage the hole some but not the end of the world if needed. The output side of things was a bit of a challenge for me. Disassembly down to the second/inner seal was also very easy as described in the linked thread. I came upon a very stubborn inner seal that would not come out. It would not budge no matter. I spent the better part of an afternoon and next morning attempting to get that seal out. I did not have a blind seal puller that would fit. I made a tool out of hard double D rod with a lip to get by the needle bearing cage and into the small space onto the seal with no success. I ended up pressing the needle bearing cage partially out to force the seal. Then pressed the cage back into place. I was worried I would damage the cage but the net result was fine. No damage to the cage. Pressing the seals in and reassembly was smooth. I only have about 25 miles on the reseal but it is dry as a bone. Mission accomplished and only a few hairs lost. Bottom line. The linked write up is very helpful. My box only needed the input shaft seal replaced. I took the “since I’m hear” approach and did the output side as well and it cost me a full day and some stress. It could have been way worse. Given it is relatively easy to remove and install the box, I would only repair what you know is needed so as not to get into a situation of damaging the box for no good reason. If you have a good press, pushing the needle bearing cage out is not the endo of the world. I used a medium sized Harbor Freight press that I’ve had long time with added longer legs to fit larger parts. Not expensive and very useful. Thanks to all that posted previously. It was a great deal of help.