I took out the steering pump for replacement and was gonna rebuild the steering gear box.

I was told that shops dont normally do it because the seals go bad fast.

Is this true? Am I better off buying a replacement gear box? If so where should I look. The cheapest ive found was around 145$

 

Welcome to thirdgen.org.

Is there something known wrong with the steering gear? It's usually not a problematic component.

 

It appears to be leaking some where by the stub shaft/rag joint. Im repairing the rag joint just as well.

Napa has a remanufactured one for about 140$. Ide like to rebuild it, but if the seals are gonna go bad quick it seems smarter to just buy a replacement.

 

I've rebuilt several over the years. Can't say I've ever had trouble with replacement seals "going bad" any faster than OE ones.

They're really pretty easy... kit usually costs about $35-40. Does take a while though. I suspect THE REAL REASON shops don't do it, is for the same reason they don't pull out YOUR auto trans and fix THAT ONE and put IT back in, but instead, just get another and swap it out; it's cheaper, both for them and for the customer, to rebuild them en masse and deal only with the R&R at the customer level. Not because of anything technical. But for an individual, no reason in the world not to tackle it. Just don't lose any of the little *****.

 

Yea, it seems pretty simple with the directions ive found.

I was told that one of the shafts would need machine work. Was it just some bs to steer me away?

 

Iunno... never machined one I've done, not sure what there even is that you could machine.

So, couldn't say about the "steer away" part (I'll excuse the pun); but BS, yeah I'd say so.

 

Thanks, I didnt believe it either.

Fortunately, ive picked up some extra hours so im gonna go ahead with a remanufactured one.

 

Do I have to worry about air pockets with a new pump and gear box? Do I need the ps fluid extractor(forgot technical name sorry)

 

No, and no. It's pretty much a no-brainer. That's why I can handle it... I have no brain.

 

Anybody who has been on here any length of time should know better than that (no brain)...I think...I hope....Maybe...Possibly... At least I do, certainly much more knowledgable than I am.

 

i had the same problem, leaking by the input shaft. went to a shop that rebuilds motors, swaps out motors, they wouldn't do it.

got a seal kit from the dealership, and followed the instructions in the factory service manual. it was simpler than I thought.

no problems since. and it's been a few years.

 

Probably another no brainer but I just want to make sure.

I got the pitman arm partially on. Can I just put the nut on and tighten it up to push it the rest of the way?

And how do I get the rag joint/shaft pushed back onto the main shaft?

I cant help but to use my brain and think "what if it falls off"