Steering problem

[Venom]

01 tahoe 4wd. I recently changed my idler and idler bracket and pitman arm. It was fine for about 2 weeks then after I got an alignment it became hard to turn left and only left. I was thinking maybe the gearbox or ball joint? When I was taking my pitman off the gearbox it took heat, air hammer 3/4 air gun with the puller and about an hour to finally break loose. Could of the gearbox been damaged?

 

[OR VietVet]

I think you are on the right track. Gear box is a better than 50/50 chance of the problem but while apart I would do the lines at the same time.

 

[Venom]

I think you are on the right track. Gear box is a better than 50/50 chance of the problem but while apart I would do the lines at the same time.

Yea that would be the plan. I went under there today and greased everything and still does it. Granted if the ball joint is already shot, it may not make a difference. Side note, when I do turn left I can hear my pump working a lot. it’s Almost like there’s a resistance

 

[OR VietVet]

Sounds like you damaged the gear box with pitman arm removal. If you had a bad ball joint it would not effect just the left turn only. The one common denominator is that the steering was working before the pitman arm work and now is not.

 

[Venom]

Sounds like you damaged the gear box with pitman arm removal. If you had a bad ball joint it would not effect just the left turn only. The one common denominator is that the steering was working before the pitman arm work and now is not.

That didn’t even cross my mind. That is a good point. Kinda made up my mind. Have you ever changed one, if so any tips?

 

[OR VietVet]

Like I said, just swap out the gear box with a good quality one like an AC Delco from RA or Amazon. It is pretty straight forward where it needs pitman arm removal again and unbolt from frame and chec the frame for any cracks in the mounting area. I would replace the lines while apart and make sure you have flare nut wrenches or flare nut crow's feet to take off. Let all the fluid come out of the power steering gear box. Reinstall all new parts. The next step is likely where I may differ from others here. Jack up the front of rig in the center and get the tires off the ground. Add power steering fluid, not ATF, and add slow and with engine off turn the steering wheel from lock to lock slowly to help bleed the air pockets out as you continue to fill. When you think it is full and is taking no more fluid, reinstall the cap and start the engine and turn slowly lock to lock and then add fluid as needed. Then let the vehicle back down and turn slowly lock to lock and verify all air is out. Then make sure is topped off according to the dipstick and then roadtest and add fluid when you get back as needed.

 

[Venom]

Like I said, just swap out the gear box with a good quality one like an AC Delco from RA or Amazon. It is pretty straight forward where it needs pitman arm removal again and unbolt from frame and chec the frame for any cracks in the mounting area. I would replace the lines while apart and make sure you have flare nut wrenches or flare nut crow's feet to take off. Let all the fluid come out of the power steering gear box. Reinstall all new parts. The next step is likely where I may differ from others here. Jack up the front of rig in the center and get the tires off the ground. Add power steering fluid, not ATF, and add slow and with engine off turn the steering wheel from lock to lock slowly to help bleed the air pockets out as you continue to fill. When you think it is full and is taking no more fluid, reinstall the cap and start the engine and turn slowly lock to lock and then add fluid as needed. Then let the vehicle back down and turn slowly lock to lock and verify all air is out. Then make sure is topped off according to the dipstick and then roadtest and add fluid when you get back as needed.

Okay thanks!