Power Steering gear install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Cliff · 12-17-2002, 12:34 PM

If someone has a minute could you please give me a step by step on the install of a NEW power steering box on a 1972 C-10 2wd. I bought a brand new one, and have never done this before. Dosen't look too hard, but I don't want to screw anything up. I appreciate it. Cliff

Cliff · 12-17-2002, 02:56 PM

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**1971Stepside** · 12-17-2002, 03:25 PM

Cliff, mine was easy since I have a bare frame and I am sure someone else can give you better instructions but I will try to get you going.

My first guess is that you would want to remove your inner fender to gain access to that side of your frame. You will need to remove the cotter key and castle nut on the pitman arm and tie rod bar. Next, you remove the old manual gear box by taking the steering column loose and the bolts that hold it to the frame. That is the quick and dirty for getting the old one out.

I would buy new Grade 8 hardware to bolt your new ps unit to the frame. Set you new gear box in place and torque the bolts. I don't have those settings in front of me. Attach your colunm and install new pitman arm and connect to tie rod bar. You want to get the gear box in the "neutral" position so you will want to have the front wheels off the ground when reattaching the pitman arm. Next comes the powersteering pump and hoses. For that you will have to rely on others. I know it is critical to have the correct brackets for your year truck and engine to get the hoses to work and the belts to align.

I can post a pic of mine on the frame if that will help. I hope this is what you were looking for....

vfrdude · 12-17-2002, 03:51 PM

No need to remove inner fender well... about all you need to do for easier access is remove the wheel. The nut holding the pitman arm on to the steering box needs to be tightened to something like 180-220 ft lbs. This is very important !

**1971Stepside** · 12-17-2002, 03:52 PM

thanks vfrdude...I wasn't sure since mine has been apart for so long...

Cliff · 12-17-2002, 05:52 PM

I got it off... haha no problems at all. I didn't think that pitman arm was gonna budge. I could hardlly turn the bolt on the puller anymore then bang it popped loose. I don't see how you can torque the four bolts that hold the steering box t othe frame b/c i could hardly get at two of them. Anyway all went well. I'm picking up the new one tomorrow and praying this fixes the problem. With a new pump and now a new steering box, what else could it be ? My hoses are fine and show no leakage signs. Thanks for the help everyone... Cliff

**stllookn** · 12-17-2002, 06:19 PM

What was the original problem with your steering?

**1971Stepside** · 12-17-2002, 06:37 PM

Make sure they give you one for 72. I believe the size of the hoses changed in 73 and up and they don't screw in.....Can someone confirm???

Cliff · 12-17-2002, 08:32 PM

hey stllokin, I lost any type of power steering. I couldn't turn the wheel hardly at all.. At first it would come in and out then nothing. I put a new pump on cause mine was leaky. Before I put the new pump on, when you would shut off the truck you could hear a hissing noise that was due to the pressure built up from forcing the steering wheel. My lines appear to be fine and I know my pump is ok and belt tension ok too. So I figured it couldn't be anything else but the steering box. I rolled under with the truck running and fluid was pouring out of the bottom of the steering box. Apparently it has been doing this for a little while because the whole drivers side underneath is covered in fluid. What a mess. I plan on putting on the steering box tomorrow and I hope I have no steering problems again. Thanks everyone. Does that sound like it will fix the problem ? I can't see why not... Cliff

Tynee · 12-19-2002, 03:27 AM

One thing is for certain. From the sounds of the old box, you're lucky to be alive. There are two functions I want to make certain I have on any vehicle I drive. Steer, and Stop. Call me crazy.

12-17-2002, 12:34 PM	#1
Cliff Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 291	Power Steering gear install If someone has a minute could you please give me a step by step on the install of a NEW power steering box on a 1972 C-10 2wd. I bought a brand new one, and have never done this before. Dosen't look too hard, but I don't want to screw anything up. I appreciate it. Cliff __________________ 1972 Custom deluxe 305/350 C/10 8-foot bed with 1/4 inch diamond plate steel bed floor.

12-17-2002, 02:56 PM	#2
Cliff Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 291	TOP __________________ 1972 Custom deluxe 305/350 C/10 8-foot bed with 1/4 inch diamond plate steel bed floor.

12-17-2002, 03:25 PM	#3
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Cliff, mine was easy since I have a bare frame and I am sure someone else can give you better instructions but I will try to get you going. My first guess is that you would want to remove your inner fender to gain access to that side of your frame. You will need to remove the cotter key and castle nut on the pitman arm and tie rod bar. Next, you remove the old manual gear box by taking the steering column loose and the bolts that hold it to the frame. That is the quick and dirty for getting the old one out. I would buy new Grade 8 hardware to bolt your new ps unit to the frame. Set you new gear box in place and torque the bolts. I don't have those settings in front of me. Attach your colunm and install new pitman arm and connect to tie rod bar. You want to get the gear box in the "neutral" position so you will want to have the front wheels off the ground when reattaching the pitman arm. Next comes the powersteering pump and hoses. For that you will have to rely on others. I know it is critical to have the correct brackets for your year truck and engine to get the hoses to work and the belts to align. I can post a pic of mine on the frame if that will help. I hope this is what you were looking for.... __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

12-17-2002, 03:51 PM	#4
vfrdude Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oakley, Ca. USA Posts: 137	No need to remove inner fender well... about all you need to do for easier access is remove the wheel. The nut holding the pitman arm on to the steering box needs to be tightened to something like 180-220 ft lbs. This is very important ! __________________ Rudy Fierros '95 Honda VFR750F Used to have a '71 Chevy Stepside, Guards Red, Lowered 4" rear, 3" front, White Oak bed wood, 700R4 w/373 gears until some low life stole it!

12-17-2002, 03:52 PM	#5
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	thanks vfrdude...I wasn't sure since mine has been apart for so long... __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

12-17-2002, 05:52 PM	#6
Cliff Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 291	PHEW I got it off... haha no problems at all. I didn't think that pitman arm was gonna budge. I could hardlly turn the bolt on the puller anymore then bang it popped loose. I don't see how you can torque the four bolts that hold the steering box t othe frame b/c i could hardly get at two of them. Anyway all went well. I'm picking up the new one tomorrow and praying this fixes the problem. With a new pump and now a new steering box, what else could it be ? My hoses are fine and show no leakage signs. Thanks for the help everyone... Cliff __________________ 1972 Custom deluxe 305/350 C/10 8-foot bed with 1/4 inch diamond plate steel bed floor.

12-17-2002, 06:19 PM	#7
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,463	What was the original problem with your steering? __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

12-17-2002, 06:37 PM	#8
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Make sure they give you one for 72. I believe the size of the hoses changed in 73 and up and they don't screw in.....Can someone confirm??? __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

12-17-2002, 08:32 PM	#9
Cliff Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 291	steering hey stllokin, I lost any type of power steering. I couldn't turn the wheel hardly at all.. At first it would come in and out then nothing. I put a new pump on cause mine was leaky. Before I put the new pump on, when you would shut off the truck you could hear a hissing noise that was due to the pressure built up from forcing the steering wheel. My lines appear to be fine and I know my pump is ok and belt tension ok too. So I figured it couldn't be anything else but the steering box. I rolled under with the truck running and fluid was pouring out of the bottom of the steering box. Apparently it has been doing this for a little while because the whole drivers side underneath is covered in fluid. What a mess. I plan on putting on the steering box tomorrow and I hope I have no steering problems again. Thanks everyone. Does that sound like it will fix the problem ? I can't see why not... Cliff __________________ 1972 Custom deluxe 305/350 C/10 8-foot bed with 1/4 inch diamond plate steel bed floor.

12-19-2002, 03:27 AM	#10
Tynee I miss this truck. Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lexington, KY U.S.A. Posts: 2,863	One thing is for certain. From the sounds of the old box, you're lucky to be alive. There are two functions I want to make certain I have on any vehicle I drive. Steer, and Stop. Call me crazy. __________________ '07 GMC Acadia SLT. Sweet ride. '08 Crew Cab Z-71 short bed. Really like this truck A LOT.



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