replacing a steering gear box - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crm318 · 11-10-2008, 10:42 PM

my buddy has a 72 GMC truck that needs the steering gear box replaced. are there any special tools or techniques to replacing this thing?

cdowns · 11-10-2008, 10:54 PM

a good puller for removing the pitman arm and make sure when installing pitman arm the box is centered(same#of turn to right and to the left)

Painter D · 11-10-2008, 10:59 PM

x2

**WIDESIDE72** · 11-11-2008, 12:14 PM

My experience with pulling pitman arms has not been good. Broke a cheap puller and a good puller. IMO, If it seems that it won't come off, I would heat the old one with a torch to give it some help get it off it. After you heat it, keep your welding gloves on and put the puller on it. It will pop right off. (I assume you have access to an oxy-acetylene rig). A propane torch will also work, just slower at heating it up.

1968SWBBigBlock · 11-11-2008, 12:18 PM

Buy a new rag joint while you have it apart.
the pitman arm puller can be loaned out from auto zone or other stores that loan tool.

cdowns · 11-11-2008, 01:35 PM

to properly use a puller you tighten it up to get tension on the part being removed then you take a hammer and smack straight down on the central bolt of the puller to relieve the tension then you tighten it again for more tension and smack it again keep repeating these steps and you wont be one of those people the destroys a perfectly good tool by improper usage

Myself · 11-11-2008, 03:43 PM

I agree with the above. I have a cheapo puller that has been used countless times on jet ski flywheels, harmonic balancers,steering wheels, etc. Tighten it up, smack it with a hammer, repeat until it pops off.

11-10-2008, 10:42 PM	#1
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	replacing a steering gear box my buddy has a 72 GMC truck that needs the steering gear box replaced. are there any special tools or techniques to replacing this thing? __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

11-10-2008, 10:54 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: replacing a steering gear box a good puller for removing the pitman arm and make sure when installing pitman arm the box is centered(same#of turn to right and to the left) __________________ 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

11-10-2008, 10:59 PM	#3
Painter D Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW (Forney) Posts: 1,529	Re: replacing a steering gear box x2 __________________ '58 SWB Fleetside...Front & Rear Porterbuilt Dropmember, 6.0 LS /4L60E. Accuair E-level, 20 Billet Specialties (Vintecs) '63 Buick Riviera ... AccuAir E-level, 20" Billet Specialties (Vintecs) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=528853&page=5

11-11-2008, 12:14 PM	#4
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,500	Re: replacing a steering gear box My experience with pulling pitman arms has not been good. Broke a cheap puller and a good puller. IMO, If it seems that it won't come off, I would heat the old one with a torch to give it some help get it off it. After you heat it, keep your welding gloves on and put the puller on it. It will pop right off. (I assume you have access to an oxy-acetylene rig). A propane torch will also work, just slower at heating it up.

11-11-2008, 12:18 PM	#5
1968SWBBigBlock Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,643	Re: replacing a steering gear box Buy a new rag joint while you have it apart. the pitman arm puller can be loaned out from auto zone or other stores that loan tool. __________________ 1968 SWB 454 + .040, 490HP x 540 FT pounds of Torque 10-1 Kb Forged pistons, recon rods w/ ARP wave loc bolts 781 heads Ported with 2.19/1.88 SSTvalves Lunati 60204 cam, Micro Trol lifters, Ported Edelbrock Performer Rpm manifold armor coated, Pertronix Triple Strike Ignition Holley 770 Street Avenger carb,Headers armor coated Built by Watson Ruppel Performance in Sarahsville Ohio. Hardshift Tranny Built Turbo 350,TSI 10" 3000 stall 12 Bolt Eaton Posi 4.10 Richmond Gears moser axles 18.5" x 31" Hoosier Pro Street Radials ET Classic 5 Wheels - polished Power Steering, Power Brakes,Disc Brakes,Tach & Gauge Dash, Tilt,Factory Air (gone) Custom Paint & Body Work Special thanks to my wife, my son and my money tree

11-11-2008, 01:35 PM	#6
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: replacing a steering gear box to properly use a puller you tighten it up to get tension on the part being removed then you take a hammer and smack straight down on the central bolt of the puller to relieve the tension then you tighten it again for more tension and smack it again keep repeating these steps and you wont be one of those people the destroys a perfectly good tool by improper usage __________________ 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 Last edited by cdowns; 11-11-2008 at 05:06 PM.

11-11-2008, 03:43 PM	#7
Myself Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Arkansas Posts: 1,142	Re: replacing a steering gear box I agree with the above. I have a cheapo puller that has been used countless times on jet ski flywheels, harmonic balancers,steering wheels, etc. Tighten it up, smack it with a hammer, repeat until it pops off.

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