Steering Gearbox R&R any suggestions
 

My Steering Gearbox is leaking at the Seal, since my motor is out can I R&R the Seal in the Car or does it need to come out of the car.

Is this an easy job either way or should I send it out and does anybody have a recommendation where to send it to.

I've replaced seals but done it out of the car.....you should probably replace the input shaft seal too or end up doing it again.....I know.........and to do that you need to disconnect te box from the column anyway.

The worst part is you NEED a pitman arm puller....not expense IIRC.

george

You can borrow a pitman arm puller from the auto parts store. I just did this at Autozone. I paid $17 and returned it for a full refund when I finished. I did the same thing with a Ball Joint Removal tool, that one was $115 but I got it back when the tool was returned. Can't beat the loaner tool program.

I just watched about 4/5 videos on you tube and I replaced my lower pinion seal. A pitman arm puller can be rented from auto zone if you have one near.Get the larger size. tighten the puller down tight and then hit the head with a big hammer and that should jar it loose. If not tighten some more and hit it again. Just pull the box off the car and make sure you replace the rag joint if it is old. It comes loose from the box by removing the bolt and then use a chizel to spread the clamp a little bit. Make sure you mark the shaft and box so you do not mess up the turn signal canceler in steering column. I took the 4 bolts out and pulled the shaft out and cleaned the surface that the seal rides on. If you follow the you tube videos and use common sense it should not be too hard. I reused the rubber seal on the top, I just used a little grease to hold it in place.

I had to bolt the box back on the frame to get enough leverage to pop it loose.

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I worked for Pontiac and it is much easier with a running engine in the car. You remove the snap ring and use the PS pump to build pressure and blow the seals out of the box. There are actually 2 seals on the pitman shaft and they are different. It would probably be a lot neater to remove the box and not get fluid all over the place. Make sure you check the shaft for rust and pitting. If it's pitted badly replace or rebuild the box.

Best to take it off the car & then disassemble it. You can use your air to remove the cap & seals. Just use a blow gun at the inlet of the fluid & it will come off & out with a little bit of direct air pressure, just stand away from the ends because it will come out with so force depending on your air pressure.

will a bad rag joint cause slop in the steering?

He didn't say which seal is leaking, there are three....

If it is the the seal behind the large 2+ inch alum end plug, this can easily be changed in the car.