How to remove the Steering Gear Box?

[ryans69chevy]

I'm stuck on getting the gear box off the arm that controls the steering. I have all the botls out from the side which connects the gear box to the frame, but I still have that arm underneath to condend with. It looks like all I need is to loosen the nut. Does this sound right? It seems weird that Chevy would put that big of nut on there. I tried putting my 1" wrench on it and it woudn't fit.

Thanks,
Ryan

[webfoot]

If it is a 4x4 there will also be a bolt through the pitman arm. If are sure you have removed everything else it may be time to get a puller. The is a little divot on the bottom of the steering shaft just for this purpose.

[RPBurris]

Harbor freight has a pitman arm puller for about $10. I used it when i changed my steering box. An impact makes short work of it. I believe it is a 1 5/16" nut?

[hugger6933]

You could try a pickle fork tool on the outside edge of the pitman arm to break it loose from the drag link.

[ryans69chevy]

I got the nut off off the arm, (it was a 1" 5/16 nut). I still can't remove the box though... It almost seems like the bolt that hangs down under the arm that that nut was screwed to is attached to the arm itself. Cuz when I lift the gear box up and down it moves a little bit, but the bolt hanging below doesn't look like it's moving... I'll try using a puller see what happens. Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Ryan

[longhorn70gmc]

Hello Ryan,
I am throwing this out there to help you; have you removed the rag joint and steering wheel column where it connects to the steering box and removed the fluid lines from the box?
You don't have to remove the pitman arm off the box to get the box off. Once the rag joint, fluid lines are disconnected, the four bolts are removed, from the frame and the pitman arm nut is removed and the arm bolt moves freely then push up on the box and move it around working the pitman arm bolt out of the steering linkage and then it will come straight down for you.

When you put it back on install 3 of four bolts into the frame very loosely so you can move it around. Next make sure the pitman arm bolt goes into the steering linkage then install your spacer and big nut on the pitman arm (assuming the arm is still connected to the box). Next get the fourth bolt installed then tighten all four bolts. Next line up the rag joint and tack on the nuts for it then tighten the pitman arm nut. Go back and tighten the rag joint nuts. Finally attach your fluid lines, put in some fluid and your ready to op check you truck.

It is okay to remove your pitman arm before or after you remove the box. I had removed my pitman on my second box replacement I did and found that it was easier to pre align it before box install, install the box and then install the pitman arm after the box was installed and all was tightened down. I tightened up the box and it was allot easier to install the pitman arm.

Good luck and enjoy your removal/installation. I have done this four times with all my trucks. This last time I used you tube and taught myself how to change the seals on the box.
Take care!!

[ryans69chevy]

Oh, I never removed the rag joint and the bottom half of the steering column. That would make sense then. I'll try it out. Hopefully i have success!

Thanks,
Ryan
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[longhorn70gmc]

Did that work for you on your removal?
R/

[ryans69chevy]

I still haven't gotten the box removed... I've been looking at it every now and then trying to figure it out. The only thing left that is connected is the pitman arm and part of the rag joint (i think). It has that rubbery cardboard feel to it and a collar on it that takes a 12 mm socket which I thought was odd. I only have impact sockets available and that socket was too fat to fit down there. I tried a 1/4 inch drive socket, but the ratchet I have doesn't provide enough torque so I have to wait until I bring home my 3/8 drive socket set and try that out. Could that be what is holding it all on? Somehow it doesn't make sense that I would have to remove this collar...

Thanks,
Ryan

[asolde]

Can you take a picture to show us whats going on?

[cdowns]

this is the beauty of havin a factory service manual they give you step by step instructions and include the tools needed a pictures and illustrations so the job can b done with little wasted time

[swissarmychainsaw]

Originally Posted by cdowns

this is the beauty of havin a factory service manual they give you step by step instructions and include the tools needed a pictures and illustrations so the job can b done with little wasted time

Ok, I'll bite. Where do you get a factory service manual?
thanks!
--Nick

[TacBlade]

Good info here for me also. I am going to be changing my leaky one out in a week or so. Any other tricks to getting this out or just what has been explained above? I will be getting a factory service manual also. Thanks!

[kcsa75]

Originally Posted by swissarmychainsaw

Ok, I'll bite. Where do you get a factory service manual?
thanks!
--Nick

Here's a link to download one:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=558016