think i should?

[Donnie Yukonie]

well took some pics of the truck today as the ones in my profile are getting outdated with the mods ive done it was a productive day for my truck as ive got a few things done but my ? is . is $550 a good price to change the steering box in this truck?
symptoms include
play in the steering wheel - already replaced ball joints,hubs,idler and pitman arms.
Have a slight whine when i turn the wheel - but i think this would be steering pump related since in these trucks its separated unlike a rack an pinion

 

[SunlitComet]

Why not try tightening it up a bit first and price is to high and how is the pump separate unlike a rack on pinion.

 

[ezdaar]

I was quoted 750 to do mine in a denali + cost of steering box. I ended up doing it myself.

Its very easy swap.

tightening up the Preload adjuster is not a proper way to tighten up the steering, as it only makes it harder to turn the wheel, not remove slop..

If the 550 is part and swap thats good deal.
But if you can do it I would advise you do it and save that cash.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

yea thats for part and swap and i thought 550 is fair but what was ur idea of a good price comet? and i heard the same thing about the preload adjuster i also heard it can make it worse

---------- Post added at 02:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:28 AM ----------

and sorry comet rack an pinion still have a seprate pump i was smoking some good shit i guess lol

 

[SunlitComet]

A1 Cardone # 27-7576 is $206 + core charge at Oreily auto. Enter part number at website for details and locations near you.

---------- Post added at 11:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:52 PM ----------

if you want instruction to possibly return your gear to the proper preloads setting let me know. It may or may not help a bit. but the price above may just convince you to replace it.

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

how hard are they to replace ? i mean i would need an alignment and the guy told me thats included in the 550? alignments go for 60 an some change around here i believe

 

[SunlitComet]

not really difficult just kind of a pain to maneuver into the job because in deep in from the top and since you have a 4x4 a huge cross-member below. Because of the you may want to transfer the pitman arm after you take the gear. It will cost you a new nut and ****** pin but far less hassle.




Power Steering Gear Replacement REMOVAL PROCEDURE

1. Place a drain pan below the steering gear.
2. Remove the hoses from the steering gear.

2.1. Raise the hose up in order to prevent oil drainage. 2.2. Cap or tape the ends of the hose and the gear fittings in order to prevent the entrance of dirt.

1. Remove the intermediate shaft.
2. Remove the pitman arm.
3. Remove the steering gear frame bolts and the steering gear.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

1. Place the steering gear in position. Guide the stub shaft into the Cardan joint assembly by lining up the marks made at removal.
2. Install the steering gear to the frame bolts.

• • Tighten the bolts to 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

1. Install the pitman arm.
2. Install the intermediate shaft.
3. Remove the plugs and the caps from the steering gear and the hoses.
4. Remove the hoses to the steering gear.

• • Tighten the hose connection to 28 Nm (20 ft. lbs.).

1. Bleed the system.

 

[ezdaar]

Tip on intermidiate shaft.
Turn steerng wheel so the bolt holding to upper shaft is pointing towards engine and the nut is facing driver side front wheel.
Use really lOng extension and go in from the wheel well.
Then take socket and wrench off, and knock the bolt out using same extensions and a hammer.
Use a phillips screw driver to reach half way into the bolt hole and pry back the ntermediate shaft back, keep at it untill it wont move anymore then use a wrench that closly fits the flat sides of the upper shaft and hammer to knock the shaft the rest of the way off the stub.

Trust me this is the simplest way to do it. As i had to mov the imtermidiate shaft out of the way to change plugs on my s10 after installing headers.

But before you seperate the shafts, straighten out your wheels and center your steering wheel. Resist th urge to spin the steering wheel once you seperate the shafts. As it breaks stuff in the column!

Now its as simple as use a 2 jaw gear puller to remove pitman arm, then remove gear box. If you dont move wheels or steeri g wheel new stuff will go in and no algnment will be needed.
If for some reason you do move them your steering wheel will simply be clOcked wrong, pull pitman arm and adjust it one tooth at a time till steering wheel is straight again.

Done a few of these, its easy.
Be sure to fill gearbox with fluid BEFORe attaching hoses, its a good idea to pour some in and rotate the input shaft by hand while its on bench to lube it up internally before i stalled and a load is on it dry. This super easy if you use pitma. Arm as lever to turn the gear box a few times.

Lol dont work with head under gear box, they are heavy and it hurts alil if it falls on ya mellon. Dont ask how i know.

 

[foreverfalcon40]

I did mine twice

1) Just replace the pitman arm since it is there and out what is an extra -10-20 for piece of mind.

Mine is a Falcon brand and it can be had at any Autobarn for like 9-11 bucks

2) Make sure when the box is installed (if you do it yourself) that the steering shaft is straight, not bent when the job is all said and done.

a second set of hands would be nice!

GL

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

thanks for the info all i might and try to do it myself from hearing an seeing the tech data i think the hardest part of the job is the location of the change .
comet where do you get these diagrams/schematics and steps they sure as hell are not in the haynes manual