Power Steering Gearbox

davidc2000 · 07-31-2004, 10:11 AM

I've replaced some seals in the power steering gearbox, and now can't seem to get the pitman shaft back in! Any tips?

StealthTJ · 07-31-2004, 03:14 PM

Explain what you mean that you can't get the "Pitman shaft" back on. I assume that you mean the Pitman Arm ??
Anyway, it's keyed, so it will only go one one way.

Fred

**koopzz** · 07-31-2004, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidc2000

I've replaced some seals in the power steering gearbox, and now can't seem to get the pitman shaft back in! Any tips?

Sorry I can't help you but I do want to bug you about: Where did you get the seals? How big of a PITA was it.

Hope things go back together well for you! Sorry for the hijack!!

Thanks!

-johnnie

davidc2000 · 08-03-2004, 06:13 AM

Thanks for the advise. Here's the summary.

Found the seal kit at http://www.Xtremeterrain.com.

"Borrowed" a pickle fork and pitman arm removal tool from the local Auto Zone.

The pitman arm was a bear to remove, but after a lot of PB Blaster, it was able to get it off with a very large crescent wrench and a 4lb sledgehammer.

Dropped the gearbox, leaving the lines to the pump attached. Removed the 4 bolts on the top and lifted the pitman shaft and gear out.

The trouble I had replacing the shaft was due to the gear inside the box turning down when the shaft was removed. I was able to use a large screwdriver to turn it back up, and the shaft went back in fine.

The end result is that my efforts did not fix the problem. It's not leaking as bad as it was, but it is still leaking! I'm thinking that the problem is two fold: 1. I didn't used enought grease on the seals, washers I reinstalled (at the bottom of the gearbox) and 2. I may have used the wrong seal. 2 seals came with the repair kit, and I just guessed at which one I was supposed to use.

I'm hoping to tear it down again this weekend, use a little more grease this time, and possibly use the other seal or both.

Wish me luck.

**koopzz** · 08-03-2004, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidc2000

Thanks for the advise. Here's the summary.

Found the seal kit at http://www.Xtremeterrain.com.

"Borrowed" a pickle fork and pitman arm removal tool from the local Auto Zone.

The pitman arm was a bear to remove, but after a lot of PB Blaster, it was able to get it off with a very large crescent wrench and a 4lb sledgehammer.

Dropped the gearbox, leaving the lines to the pump attached. Removed the 4 bolts on the top and lifted the pitman shaft and gear out.

The trouble I had replacing the shaft was due to the gear inside the box turning down when the shaft was removed. I was able to use a large screwdriver to turn it back up, and the shaft went back in fine.

The end result is that my efforts did not fix the problem. It's not leaking as bad as it was, but it is still leaking! I'm thinking that the problem is two fold: 1. I didn't used enought grease on the seals, washers I reinstalled (at the bottom of the gearbox) and 2. I may have used the wrong seal. 2 seals came with the repair kit, and I just guessed at which one I was supposed to use.

I'm hoping to tear it down again this weekend, use a little more grease this time, and possibly use the other seal or both.

Wish me luck.

Sorry to hear that bro! Best wishes getting her back together...again! Thanks for the link and the write-up! You rock the farm! If you're ever in Cleveland I owe you some beers!!

Thanks again!

-johnnie

07-31-2004, 03:14 PM	#2
StealthTJ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,776 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Explain what you mean that you can't get the "Pitman shaft" back on. I assume that you mean the Pitman Arm ?? Anyway, it's keyed, so it will only go one one way. Fred __________________ [b]Base[/b] - '98 Sahara, 4.0L 6 cyl, Auto (swap from 5 sp) [b]Suspension[/b]- 4.0" Procomp Springs + 1 1/4" bl. Rear tri-link. Currie J arms, F&R. Warn hubs with WJ knuckles, custom cross over/hi-steering setup, Currie A/R Sway Bar. HPD30/D44 (rear disk conversion, WJ dual piston caliber conversion in the front); Detroits; 4.56 [b]Misc[/b] - Tera 2wd lo. [b]Tires[/b] - 35x12.50 MT/R's siped on 15x7 Champion Beadlocks. [b]Recovery[/b] - Warn XD9000i

08-03-2004, 06:13 AM	#4
davidc2000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 3 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Thanks for the advise. Here's the summary. Found the seal kit at http://www.Xtremeterrain.com. "Borrowed" a pickle fork and pitman arm removal tool from the local Auto Zone. The pitman arm was a bear to remove, but after a lot of PB Blaster, it was able to get it off with a very large crescent wrench and a 4lb sledgehammer. Dropped the gearbox, leaving the lines to the pump attached. Removed the 4 bolts on the top and lifted the pitman shaft and gear out. The trouble I had replacing the shaft was due to the gear inside the box turning down when the shaft was removed. I was able to use a large screwdriver to turn it back up, and the shaft went back in fine. The end result is that my efforts did not fix the problem. It's not leaking as bad as it was, but it is still leaking! I'm thinking that the problem is two fold: 1. I didn't used enought grease on the seals, washers I reinstalled (at the bottom of the gearbox) and 2. I may have used the wrong seal. 2 seals came with the repair kit, and I just guessed at which one I was supposed to use. I'm hoping to tear it down again this weekend, use a little more grease this time, and possibly use the other seal or both. Wish me luck.