Power Steering Box Rebuild - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 10-05-2003, 12:43 AM

How hard to rebuild a power steering box? My pitman shaft splines are worn, so it lets my pitman arm slop around. Can I just replace the shaft if I have another old box? If so what all is involved with replacing the shaft? I hate to get rid of mine because it does not leak and I do not have the money for a new one.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-05-2003, 09:17 AM

You can replace your pitman shaft without too much difficulty. I have rebuilt boxes when they were out of the truck but I believe that there is enough clearance to remove the shaft with the box in the truck.

Anyway this is how I would do it. Remove the pitman arm, clean the pitman shaft thoroughly as it will be sliding through the seals. Lube the shaft with a good clean lube, (oil or light grease).

Make sure that you have drained the box before pulling the cover.

Center the steering, (go lock to lock count turns and then go 1/2 way back). Remove cover bolts and tap shaft out with a soft hammer, (lead or brass is what I use). If the shaft hits the housing on the way out turn the shaft to clear. The shaft and cover will come out as an assembly.

Hopefully you won't damage the shaft seal, but if you do it will have to be replaced.

Installing the other shaft should be easy, just make sure that it is clean.

Good luck!

Jim

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 10-05-2003, 01:29 PM

Thanks Jim!! I will have to try that!

Spoof · 10-05-2003, 08:09 PM

Hi,
As I mentioned in another post Hot Rod covers the entire overhaul process in their Chevy-GMC Pickup Repair manual. Available from some vendors.

10-05-2003, 12:43 AM	#1
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Power Steering Box Rebuild How hard to rebuild a power steering box? My pitman shaft splines are worn, so it lets my pitman arm slop around. Can I just replace the shaft if I have another old box? If so what all is involved with replacing the shaft? I hate to get rid of mine because it does not leak and I do not have the money for a new one. __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

10-05-2003, 01:29 PM	#3
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Thanks Jim!! I will have to try that! __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

10-05-2003, 08:09 PM	#4
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	Hi, As I mentioned in another post Hot Rod covers the entire overhaul process in their Chevy-GMC Pickup Repair manual. Available from some vendors. __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

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10-05-2003, 09:17 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	You can replace your pitman shaft without too much difficulty. I have rebuilt boxes when they were out of the truck but I believe that there is enough clearance to remove the shaft with the box in the truck. Anyway this is how I would do it. Remove the pitman arm, clean the pitman shaft thoroughly as it will be sliding through the seals. Lube the shaft with a good clean lube, (oil or light grease). Make sure that you have drained the box before pulling the cover. Center the steering, (go lock to lock count turns and then go 1/2 way back). Remove cover bolts and tap shaft out with a soft hammer, (lead or brass is what I use). If the shaft hits the housing on the way out turn the shaft to clear. The shaft and cover will come out as an assembly. Hopefully you won't damage the shaft seal, but if you do it will have to be replaced. Installing the other shaft should be easy, just make sure that it is clean. Good luck! Jim



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