Steering Gear rebuild??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

red71cheyenne · 12-24-2006, 04:44 PM

Anyone know how hard it is to rebuild a steering gear? The one on the Blazer is not working. Not sure if its the gear or the pump, but figured I'd ask how hard the gear is to rebuild...Thanks, Jeff.

Sweet72 · 12-24-2006, 04:54 PM

I'm not sure if you can get rebuild parts for them, just seals as far as I know.

red71cheyenne · 12-24-2006, 05:26 PM

I see I can get a rebuilt one from LMC for $239, but I'd sure like to save myself that money. I know Napa sells the seals as well. Anyone ever rebuilt one?

*72lb4x4* · 12-24-2006, 06:36 PM

Oreilly has them for $155. There are also rebuild kits for about $35 but no description of what's in the kits.

red71cheyenne · 12-24-2006, 07:18 PM

$155 is better, but still more than a rebuild kit...Wish I knew it was a no-brainer for rebuilding. It'll be my luck, I buy the kit only to have to buy the new gear as well.

BCOWANWHEELS · 12-24-2006, 10:48 PM

If You,ve Never Done This Before Do Try It. Theres More To It Than You Think To Do It Right.

red71cheyenne · 12-25-2006, 12:18 AM

Any hints to help along the way? Can I do it with the master rebuild kit? Its mostly seals, O-rings and spring clips looks like. Any input would be great. Thanks, Jeff.

rcbildr · 12-25-2006, 03:15 AM

A friend of mine advised me about steering boxes....always buy new. The steering box went out on his truck and he went thru 2 remanufactured boxes...both were worse than the original one....before he broke down and bought a new one. Was told the rebuilt ones now only have new seals installed and nothing is done with the internals.

Botietruck · 12-25-2006, 08:03 AM

I rebuilt one about 4 years ago. I purchased the master seal/rebuild kit from NAPA and the ball kit from GM., I followed the instructions in the overhaul manual and it wasn't bad. They recommend a special tool to keep the balls in during assembly, but I made one and it worked fine. I would offer to let you borrow it but I sent it along with copies of the rebuild process from the manual and sent them to a board member to use and he never returned the tool. After several emails and promises from him to return it, I just gave up. (This is the ONLY bad experience I've had from this board, so please don't allow this to change your opinion of this board, this is the best group of guys & gals you will find)
But, back to the steering gear...if you have the manual and the time, go for it. I will tell you, I believe the NAPA kit was about $35.00 and the ball kit was $20..00. I enjoyed doing it because I like the challenge. Good luck in whatever you do.

red71cheyenne · 12-26-2006, 09:57 PM

It sounds like something I would like to try. Did the manual come with the master kit? Thanks for the replies, Jeff.

Sweet72 · 12-26-2006, 10:29 PM

From what I've read on another automotive forum, the kits don't come with any instructions. Good luck, and take pictures so you can do a writeup for the FAQ's...

Botietruck · 12-26-2006, 10:31 PM

Yes and no. The kit had a parts breakdown and some instructions, enough to do the rebuild. But the manual was more detailed.

12-24-2006, 04:44 PM	#1
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Steering Gear rebuild??? Anyone know how hard it is to rebuild a steering gear? The one on the Blazer is not working. Not sure if its the gear or the pump, but figured I'd ask how hard the gear is to rebuild...Thanks, Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

12-24-2006, 04:54 PM	#2
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Re: Steering Gear rebuild??? I'm not sure if you can get rebuild parts for them, just seals as far as I know. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

12-24-2006, 05:26 PM	#3
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Steering Gear rebuild??? I see I can get a rebuilt one from LMC for $239, but I'd sure like to save myself that money. I know Napa sells the seals as well. Anyone ever rebuilt one? __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

12-24-2006, 06:36 PM	#4
72lb4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 1,427	Re: Steering Gear rebuild??? Oreilly has them for $155. There are also rebuild kits for about $35 but no description of what's in the kits.

12-24-2006, 07:18 PM	#5
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Steering Gear rebuild??? $155 is better, but still more than a rebuild kit...Wish I knew it was a no-brainer for rebuilding. It'll be my luck, I buy the kit only to have to buy the new gear as well. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

12-24-2006, 10:48 PM	#6
BCOWANWHEELS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KINGSPORT,TN. Posts: 3,035	Re: Steering Gear rebuild??? If You,ve Never Done This Before Do Try It. Theres More To It Than You Think To Do It Right.

12-25-2006, 12:18 AM	#7
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Steering Gear rebuild??? Any hints to help along the way? Can I do it with the master rebuild kit? Its mostly seals, O-rings and spring clips looks like. Any input would be great. Thanks, Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

12-25-2006, 03:15 AM	#8
rcbildr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Gold Bar, WA Posts: 1,216	Re: Steering Gear rebuild??? A friend of mine advised me about steering boxes....always buy new. The steering box went out on his truck and he went thru 2 remanufactured boxes...both were worse than the original one....before he broke down and bought a new one. Was told the rebuilt ones now only have new seals installed and nothing is done with the internals. __________________ My Projects: 1960 GMC 1/2ton with 305 V6 (daily driver) 1963 Chevy 1/2ton 2wd...converting to 4x4 1967 Suburban 1/2ton 2wd My Girlfriends Projects 1985 Chevy Suburban 3/4ton 4x4 with 6.2L diesel, 4" lift, converted to TH-400, Warn Premium manual hubs, & Wildcat 315/75/R16 tires. (daily driver) 1978 Camaro Type LT with a Marine 350 & vortec heads, Rochester Carb, & roller cam 1978 Camaro Z28

12-25-2006, 08:03 AM	#9
Botietruck '71 chevy s.bed/s.side Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 1,571	Re: Steering Gear rebuild??? I rebuilt one about 4 years ago. I purchased the master seal/rebuild kit from NAPA and the ball kit from GM., I followed the instructions in the overhaul manual and it wasn't bad. They recommend a special tool to keep the balls in during assembly, but I made one and it worked fine. I would offer to let you borrow it but I sent it along with copies of the rebuild process from the manual and sent them to a board member to use and he never returned the tool. After several emails and promises from him to return it, I just gave up. (This is the ONLY bad experience I've had from this board, so please don't allow this to change your opinion of this board, this is the best group of guys & gals you will find) But, back to the steering gear...if you have the manual and the time, go for it. I will tell you, I believe the NAPA kit was about $35.00 and the ball kit was $20..00. I enjoyed doing it because I like the challenge. Good luck in whatever you do. __________________ STILL PLAYS WITH CARS...AND TRUCKS!! Parents! Be good to your kids...they get to choose your nursing home! 250 I-6 with a 3 speed Saginaw and Borg Warner Overdrive...She's got overdrive!

12-26-2006, 09:57 PM	#10
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Steering Gear rebuild??? It sounds like something I would like to try. Did the manual come with the master kit? Thanks for the replies, Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

12-26-2006, 10:29 PM	#11
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Re: Steering Gear rebuild??? From what I've read on another automotive forum, the kits don't come with any instructions. Good luck, and take pictures so you can do a writeup for the FAQ's... __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

12-26-2006, 10:31 PM	#12
Botietruck '71 chevy s.bed/s.side Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 1,571	Re: Steering Gear rebuild??? Yes and no. The kit had a parts breakdown and some instructions, enough to do the rebuild. But the manual was more detailed. __________________ STILL PLAYS WITH CARS...AND TRUCKS!! Parents! Be good to your kids...they get to choose your nursing home! 250 I-6 with a 3 speed Saginaw and Borg Warner Overdrive...She's got overdrive!



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