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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 164
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1972 Steering box replacement - Any tips?
Hi everyone.
I'm going to replace my PS box this weekend. Anyone have any tips? Any need to pre-fill the box with fluid or do I just top up the PS pump? Thanks in advance. ![]() |
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#2 | |
*** That's interesting ***
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,772
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Re: 1972 Steering box replacement - Any tips?
Quote:
Then there is a proper bleeding procedure you need to do: (various service manuals for various years cars and trucks have some variation of this procedure) The vehicle is supposed to be raised until the front wheels are off the ground, with the engine OFF, turn the steering wheel from stop to stop at least 30 cycles. This will force out the air bubbles into the reservoir. Be sure to check the level a few times. Then start the vehicle and repeat -- 30 times, stop to stop. If the pump is noisy or the fluid is very milky, shut it off and wait 10 minutes. Then repeat the process from the beginning until the fluid looks clear and the steering feels correct. Be sure to drive it carefully on the first test drive in case there are still some bubbles or something wrong with the box.
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Tom ![]() Chevy by day... 1969 Chevy C30 Rollback Tow Truck -- 383 stroker, 4L80E 2011 Chevy Caprice PPV 9C3 6.0L 1995 Chevy Caprice 9C1 1994 Chevy Caprice 9C1 #3 1995 Chevy Caprice Wagon #2 1995 Chevy Impala SS Mopar by night... 1969 Dodge Charger 1972 Chrysler Newport 2dr Hardtop (27K miles) Plus others... Last edited by storm9c1; 07-09-2010 at 04:53 PM. |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 164
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Re: 1972 Steering box replacement - Any tips?
Quote:
I have heard of turning lock to lock a few times with the wheels up to bleed the system but that was with the engine on. 30 times with the engine off and I'm going to have forearms like Popeye! ![]() Last edited by snowblind; 07-09-2010 at 06:35 PM. |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New Castle, IN
Posts: 199
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Re: 1972 Steering box replacement - Any tips?
Make sure your steering wheel stays aligned properly when putting everything back together.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 764
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Re: 1972 Steering box replacement - Any tips?
When I had mine off to replace the seals I put one bolt back in the gear from the opposite side temporarily. This makes the threads stick out thorough the side that contacts the frame like a stud. I was then able to line the gear up with this bolt and let it hold the weight while I started the other bolts. Once the other bolts were started I removed the first bolt and put it in the correct way. This made it much easier to install the gear. I didn't have to wrestle that first bolt in from the other side of the frame while trying to hold the gear in place.
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72 Cheyenne Super 1/2 LWB White/Dark Yellow 07 Avalanche 2LT 74 Sleek Craft Rebel Jet Boat W/Pontiac 400 Last edited by OhOneWS6; 07-11-2010 at 09:50 PM. |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Overland Park, Ks.
Posts: 5,220
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Re: 1972 Steering box replacement - Any tips?
Good tip Wise one.
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#7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: 1972 Steering box replacement - Any tips?
when changing steering boxes alwys check your frame area goog it's not unusual to find stress cracks sometimes at the box mount area
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#8 |
Sisyphus was my mentor!
![]() Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Carleton Place, Ontario CANADA
Posts: 984
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Re: 1972 Steering box replacement - Any tips?
Use a good synthetic powersteering fluid. Once it's in there, it never gets changed so you might as well use the good stuff.
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passthebuck ![]() #5642 -TWO 1967 GMC 910's. One with L6/3-on-the tree and the other with 355 w/435hp & a 700r4. -a 2013 Honda Civic as my "sensible" car |
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#9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ridgecrest. CA, USA
Posts: 1,715
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Re: 1972 Steering box replacement - Any tips?
I am currently doing mine.
First, save the the rag joint and ensure the spline matches the new power steering box spline. This has held me up for 3 weeks now. I am good now. Next make sure your pitman arm matches the new box spline, so it fits. I was told to install it after the box, but I would have been better installing it before the box going on. Just make sure the pitman arm matches up right where your turn radious is good to go because installing it wrong can cause issues for your turn radious. Fortunently I am strong enough to hold that box up there long enough to get one or two bolts started, but the other trick the other guy stated is a great ideal where you put one in backward to start the others then go back and fix it right. Good luck, Unfortunently I have to do this again soon on my other truck. R/ Billy
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Billy ![]() ![]() 1970 GMC Sierra Grande 402/TH400 (Longhorn)14 years and counting rebuild! 1975 (Build) Chevrolet SWB 4X4 350 SB Lifted 6 inches 1970 Ford F250 Ranger 390 BB 2010 Ford Super Duty F250 XLT W/4 inch lift kit and Pro Comp Tires Hub Cap Freak! ![]() ![]() ![]() I'M IN THE MARKET...AS IT WERE! |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 164
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Re: 1972 Steering box replacement - Any tips?
OK. I took a couple of days longer than expected but not a terrible job.
Everything came off pretty easy except the PS fluid return line. The flare nut was seized to the pipe and just twisted it all up. This delayed me two days so I would recommend ordering a set of replacement hoses BEFORE starting the job. The orientation of the rag joint and the various flats/splines on the rag and pitman makes it very easy to line up the steering to straight. I was worried about this but it was no problem. I had my wife help hold the box stable while I supported the weight and did the bolts from underneath. This worked well. I kept the bolts loose until I got everything connected and then tightened it down. The advise about cycling the box with the engine off is correct and very easy to do when the front wheels are off the ground! ![]() End result - Everything is great. New steering box is tight and doesn't leak fluid. Mission accomplished. |
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