Replace seals on power steering gear box on truck or bench?

[dkraven]

Pretty much what the title says. The power steering gear box on my 77 Sierra Grande is leaking at both the input shaft and the pitman arm, gonna put new seals in this weekend. Any reason not to do it on the truck? Main thing I can think of is getting it on the bench will make it easier to clean and see everything. Also, I've seen some videos where people replace the pitman shaft seals without removing the shaft from the top and some where they remove the shaft. Removing it seems easier, thoughts?

 

[fast 99]

The second pitman arm shaft seal is not very accessible. Can drill it and use a slide hammer. Really isn't much more work to take box out, working upside down isn't fun.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Be very careful to not let the input shaft turn or come out when you're removing the adjusting sleeve and locking collar. Especially turning, hold it while removing the sleeve. Or you'll be taking the whole box apart. Ask me how I know lol. Can be done on the truck, the worst part was getting the shaft on and off the input shaft.

Get the little spanner, it's cheap, no headache or damage. You'll have to do it again someday in the far future lol. Or near future, depending on your other vehicles.

 

[dkraven]

Good point, don't need to be dripping poaer steering fluid on my face more than necessary.
Thanks Prairie, I don't mind getting a tool even one time use to save a headache. I thought about just doing the whole bix but then the first video I watched with all those ball bearings coming out I decided nah.. Seen people mark the input pieces for alignment after, that a good idea?

 

[Old Guy Bill]

Inspect it carefully.
This is what I found on mine.

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[PrairieDrifter]

Yep, make sure you have three marks. Box, adjuster, locking collar.

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[dkraven]

Welp I effed it up. Gouged the inside of the housing good removing a seal, probably a millimeter deep. Guess time to gamble on a reman box.

 

[saltdog]

https://redheadsteeringgears.com/ they just work

 

[Dmack]

I would try replacing the seals and see how it goes. Seal kits are cheap (as am I).

 

[Radiohead]

Me too and I have the seals waiting in the wings. I remember doing the pitman arm shaft seal once by removing the arm and seal clip, then started engine and ran steering wheel around to the stop, bumping old seal and a bit of fluid too. Won't work on input shaft seal, so out this box comes to keep it simpler. I'll post it up when that job starts. Even in this decrepit condition I don't see it taking longer than a day


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