Need advice with power steering conversion

[thewrai6th]

My power steering conversion was going very well until I found out the rag joint is not the correct one for the power steering gearbox I bought, it's too small.
I measured the input shaft on the gearbox, and it is 3/4" (13/16" is too large). If I were to count the splines and keep counting across the flat spot, it would be 36 splines. If I stop counting it's 30 splines.

So, is the 3/4" 36 spline the correct rag joint for this gearbox? I can't find one locally, so I'm going to have to order it.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/PNB391038

[thewrai6th]

My best guess is Dorman 31011

[thewrai6th]

I found the 31011 locally and it doesn't fit. Too small. Not sure what to order at this point. Maybe it is 13/16" and not 3/4"

[Jrainman]

cant help you with spline count or part numbers , but you need to know what year and or part number of your gear box to get the correct rag joint .

the basic rule of thumb for this conversion is rag joint = year of gear box
and idler arm = year of your truck with power steering (not manual steering idler arm)

[stsalvage]

If you have your old one you can drill it out and put in the rebuild kit.If not need to find a junk yard or a guy that sells old parts he might have one that will be uses as long as its not messed up put it on and use it

[thewrai6th]

For the record, it's Dorman 31015, 13/16" 36 spline.
The PS gearbox has a 0.80" input shaft (Napa has input/output backwards on the website)
Thanks for the assistance

[thewrai6th]

Here's is what it took for my 69 GMC:

Power steering pump/reservoir
PS bracket
PS Hoses with flange ends
PS gearbox
PS pitman arm
Dorman 31015 rag joint
PS belt
PS fluid (~2qt)

Basic tools
Pitman arm puller
Ball joint separator
Torque wrench
Large socket for pitman arm nut
Metal grinder


Sorry for the lack of pictures, but none of it was very difficult.

I had already moved alternator to pass side and switched to a long water pump.

REMOVAL
Unbolt the rag joint

Remove the pitman arm from the steering linkage. Use ball joint separator.

Remove the pitman arm bolt and separate with pitman arm puller.

Unscrew the 3 bolts holding on the manual gearbox and remove. Don't drop it on your head.

Remove driver side bumper support bar

Remove fender well.


INSTALLATION
Install PS pump and belt, with brackets

Install new rag joint on PS gearbox

Install PS pitman arm onto PS gearbox. Find the center position by counting turns and install the pitman arm. It only goes on in 90deg increments.

Install PS gearbox. While setting the pitman arm down into the steering linkage, bolt down the new gearbox. 80 ft/lbs

Tighten down the pitman arm nut with cotter pins to 40-60ft/lb

Tighten down the large pitman nut to 180 ft/lbs. My torque wrench only goes to 150, so as tight as you can.

Connect power steering hoses, making sure to allow for travel during belt tightening/installation.

Tighten RAG joint (I did not have the shorten my 3 speed manual column, that looks like a PITA...)

Tighten belt and fill with fluid

Prime per the gearbox instructions. Fill, start engine, 180 left, 180 right, stop engine, refill, repeat until there is no foaming or bubbles.

Check for leaks. You might have to plug any unused power steering reservoir mounting bolts.

Trim bumper bracket to fit and reinstall.

Trim wheel well to fit and reinstall.

...and power steering is done. It seems really touchy compared to the slop in an old manual gearbox. No more parking lot workouts in the summer heat.