Replacement

[CSFJ]

I can't remember but isn't there a blind spline on the input shaft of the gear? In any event counting turns should get you really close.

I know on some stuff there is a blind spline, haven't had my truck apart to verify it on these yet.

 

[Smitch320]

Thank guys. I have drained the pump with 2 quarts of new fluid, hopefully that takes care of any dirt or grime. I replaced the pressure hoses not all that long ago hoping that would slow my leak, not knowing it was coming from the "pitman shaft" area.

How hard it is to get the pitman back on? EDIT: I Thought about it and figured it out...LOL it is late.


Thanks again guys.

 

[CSFJ]

I've always tightened the bolt and torqued to spec. Don't forget some thread lock too.

 

[Smitch320]

Little bit of an update...

I have the steering gear off. Boy was the pitman a pain in the ass to remove after 30 years! I have some play in the balljoint on the opposite end of the pitman arm on the drag link. Is that normal? I am going to hopefully bolt this thing back up one evening this week.

Thanks.

Edit: when i say a little bit of play, If I knock it with the hammer it'll move.

 

[Georgeb]

I would replace it since it's all apart. Din't cheap out on the part. A Moog part would be my choice.

 

[Smitch320]

I would replace it since it's all apart. Din't cheap out on the part. A Moog part would be my choice.

Kind of what I thought too, did not seem right for it to have that much play in it while it was all connected up.

I need a fork, and then what to install the new one?

 

[Georgeb]

Kind of what I thought too, did not seem right for it to have that much play in it while it was all connected up.

I need a fork, and then what to install the new one?

Just a fork to get it apart. Clean up the rod and taper good and the new one will go on without any trouble.

 

[Smitch320]

Stupid question, as the hard part is over now, but would it have been easier if the truck was jacked up on a lift or stands to remove?

 

[Georgeb]

Stupid question, as the hard part is over now, but would it have been easier if the truck was jacked up on a lift or stands to remove?

yss it would. You would have had more room to work under it.

 

[Smitch320]

When replacing the drag link end, is it as simple as removing the old one and marking where it was and simply replacing it with the new one and counting the threads?

Thanks

 

[yevgenievich]

That is correct, but you might still be off a bit and will need to check the Toe on the front

 

[Smitch320]

Got everything pretty much back together. Ordered MOOG parts from jegs and built the new center/drag link.

Thanks again everyone for the advice, hopefully this one won't leak a quart of fluid every other day, lol.

 

[Smitch320]

Back again.

I finally had a day to button up everything up. I had the box in the other week, and uncovered it to put the steering shaft and drag link in.

I cannot get the shaft to go onto the new steering box. The spline on the steering box is the spline with the "flat top" and as far as I can tell, my coupler is too.

Any suggestions?