I have an 88 Camaro IROC that needs to steering gearbox replaced. Anyone know exactly what tools I'll need to do this? Anyone have any pictures of it? Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

you can get it all apart with common hard tools, i dont have the sizes handy, but its not terribly hard. the nut on the pitman arm is 33mm IIRC, you need a puller to remove and air tools make that a lot easier.

 

Power steering lines should be metric 18mm and 16mm

Under the plastic dust cover is the steering shaft pinch bolt. It should need a 10mm socket. Big screwdriver, prybar and a hammer will slide the steering shaft up and off the input shaft.

Remove the center link. Pliers to remove the cotter pin and an adjustable wrench to remove the nut. I think it's 7/8". Big hammer whacking on the side of the pitman arm will pop the center link.

5/8" socket (16mm) to remove the 3 mounting bolts through the frame rail. A breaker bar or impact gun to get them loose. The steering box will then drop to the ground.

33mm or 1-5/16" socket will take off the pitman arm nut and you'll need a puller to get the pitman arm off. Using a puller without an air or electric impact is possible but very difficult.

If you have to "rent" tools, ask your local repair shop on time to replace it. Shouldn't take more than an hour. Shop rate may be cheaper than tool purchase or rental.

 

I'm going back and forth on doing this or having it done. What would any of you suggest? Is it a time-consuming job? I've built engines and a couple of transmissions but never had a reason to install a gearbox. I would hate to get it started and can't finish it. Thanks for the responses!