Pitman Arm Shaft Seal

[Justinj360]

I need to replace the outermost seal on the shaft for the pitman arm. I damaged it when using a torch on the pitman arm. I don't know what to call this thing but it looks to be a grease and dirt boot to protect the bearing inside the steering gear. Anyone know where to find one? AutoZone and O'Reilly weren't much help. They did grab a remanufactured steering gear assembly and we discovered it didn't even come with a new seal like mine but mine fit in the hole perfectly. Mine steering gear assembly is a Delphi and I assume it's original.

2004 GMC Yukon 5.3 AWD

 

[Rocket Man]

Steering gear pitman shaft seal.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...steering,steering+gear+pitman+shaft+seal,7344

 

[Justinj360]

Steering gear pitman shaft seal.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...steering,steering+gear+pitman+shaft+seal,7344

Thanks for the help but those all look different than mine... I looked at one of those in person at AutoZone and I couldn't make heads or tails of it. And I don't see where a snap ring would go. Could the seal have been revised that drastically?

 

[Rocket Man]

Are you talking idler arm instead of Pitman arm? The Pitman arm goes on the steering box and I'm looking at your pictures on my phone so it's hard to see but that looks like it might be the idler arm bracket not steering box. I could be wrong of course.

 

[Justinj360]

Are you talking idler arm instead of Pitman arm? The Pitman arm goes on the steering box and I'm looking at your pictures on my phone so it's hard to see but that looks like it might be the idler arm bracket not steering box. I could be wrong of course.

It's definitely the pitman arm. It's on the driver's side. I already replaced the idler arm and the bracket.

 

[M1Gunner]

That’s a spline fit and not interference fit as the idler arms are. It’s the pitman arm shaft.

 

[M1Gunner]

Honestly I don’t think what damage has been done to the dust cover is gonna cause any issues. I think you’ll be good.

 

[Justinj360]

Honestly I don’t think what damage has been done to the dust cover is gonna cause any issues. I think you’ll be good.

Probably not but I'd rather be safe than sorry... I also don't know anything about steering gear assemblies. I'm having a hell of a time tracking this thing down so I might have to improvise. Could I use some gasket maker or something to help seal it?

 

[Rocket Man]

That’s a spline fit and not interference fit as the idler arms are. It’s the pitman arm shaft.

I see that now. Good point.

 

[M1Gunner]

Yeah I hear ya, Maybe use a heat gun to reform what you have and a plastic welder(soldering iron) gently if it has any rips? Since the shaft is traversing back and forth the rtv may stick to it as it cures and could possibly cause more damage by tearing OR maybe it’ll break free and work as you want. I haven’t used rtv on moving parts so I can’t say for sure.

Maybe find one in a u-pull. That’s grommet/dustcover they’d prolly just let you have.

Probably not but I'd rather be safe than sorry... I also don't know anything about steering gear assemblies. I'm having a hell of a time tracking this thing down so I might have to improvise. Could I use some gasket maker or something to help seal it?