steering gear box/ Pitman arm - Diesel Forum

aposak · 06-29-2009, 05:57 PM

After reinstalling my radiator and a bigger trans cooler, I noticed a really bad drip of red fluid. Turned out to be power steering fluid (slight relief, but now I have a new problem) coming from somewhere around the Pitman arm. I can see the bottom of a gear between the Pitman arm and the gearbox housing. Is this normal? I suspect there should be a gasket of some sort there. The fluid leak slows to a barely noticeable dribble with the wheels pointed straight ahead, but drips pretty badly when turned hard left or right (even with engine off). TIA!

TUNINGBYAMG · 06-29-2009, 07:30 PM

Yikes, looks like its your output shaft seal thats gone, never replaced that one, but i know when i was doing my suspension that the pitman arm is a ***** to take out and you NEED the right puller otherwise, good luck.

aposak · 06-30-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUNINGBYAMG

Yikes, looks like its your output shaft seal thats gone, never replaced that one, but i know when i was doing my suspension that the pitman arm is a ***** to take out and you NEED the right puller otherwise, good luck.

Yeah... doesn't look like fun. They have a Pitman arm puller to borrow at the local AZ. I hope it's big enough for the truck. Is that what you used on yours, or would you recommend a different tool?

**Lilbrown45** · 06-30-2009, 08:50 PM

I just picked up the same tool. I am replacing my steering box. It looks to be the right size but I will throw in not to use a pulley puller! I snapped a 2 ton puller and now have a nicely sized knot on my finger.

Snowtow · 07-01-2009, 01:10 PM

Even witht the correct puller they can be a bear to get off. Be patient.

I tighten down the puller with an impact and hit the pitman arm with a BFH several times. Wait a while and tighten it down some more.

One thing you might want to do is leave the nut on a few threads. This will keep the pitman arm from shooting downward when it finally releases from the sector shaft.

**Lilbrown45** · 07-01-2009, 03:48 PM

I stand corrected...The puller from AZ/Kragen is not the right size! haha I ended up taking the Pitman off at the ball joint and could see the gear on the end of the steering gear was shot so I ordered the new steering gear and pitman arm (hopefully they match) and should start install tomorrow, pitman arm wont be in till friday. My front end was redone by the PO so finding parts that match has been a pain. I just took the whole steering gear and pitman in to match parts.

Question- when reinstalling should the pitman go on before i put the steering gear back in?

aposak · 07-02-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilbrown45

Question- when reinstalling should the pitman go on before i put the steering gear back in?

I'm thinking that the steering gearbox should go in first, to make sure the Pitman arm is aligned correctly. Not sure, haven't done it, but that would make sense to me. While you have it out, don't forget to adjust that top nut to take the slop out of the gearing.

Snowtow · 07-02-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aposak

While you have it out, don't forget to adjust that top nut to take the slop out of the gearing.

As I read this it's a brand new box going in.

You can do a lot of damage "adjusting" that top nut if you don't know the exact procedure as well.

**Lilbrown45** · 07-02-2009, 08:32 PM

Yes its a reman box from Astco (Autozone). I did see it came with some o-rings also???

So what is the exact procedure? I am going to wait for the pitman arm to come in tomorrow so I know they match before I dive into this. Install instructions would be much appreciated.

aposak · 07-06-2009, 02:43 PM

Pulled the Pitman arm this weekend with the help of an AZ rental puller and a BFH. Once the arm broke loose, it was quite easy. I took off the drag link castle nut, but didn't actually have to disconnect the drag link to get the Pitman arm loose. Put the castle nut back on and rotated the whole thing out of the way.
The seal kit I got wasn't the correct one for that gearbox, so looks like I'll have to replace the whole gearbox. At $150, it'll be a back burner project. $150 buys a LOT of power steering fluid. The leak is only really bad when parked with the wheels turned, and there's not a lot of slop in the steering wheel yet.

**Lilbrown45** · 07-06-2009, 08:35 PM

Glad yours was easy.. I got mine out and the new one in. Put the pitman arm on and went to bleed the system and it turns the wrong way!!! When I turn left the wheels go right. The first time I saw it, I was hilarious.. now I'm just pissed! Is there a difference between the F250 and F350 steering gear having a reverse rotation? I have the D60 (F350 front end) in my F250. The new box is a F250 box I got from AZ. I had taken the old one in so they could match it... The boxes look similar and all the holes match up but this backwards rotation is throwin me.

Highly frustrated! Pulled the pitman and reinstalled making sure it wasnt a DFO error and still the same problem! HELP! I need the truck together by Friday. I have new lines coming in tomorrow and would like to get it ready for the new linese or order new parts if I have to.

aposak · 07-07-2009, 11:41 AM

I checked the AZ part numbers. The '95 F-250 is a 7516, and the '97 F-350 is a 7555 (and special order, ugh). There is a difference, but the housings also look different on the 2. Not sure what year you got your front end out of. Do your tie rod ends connect to the hub in front of or behind the steering pivot? I think that's the important clue here. Can check mine over lunch if you need a reference.

**Lilbrown45** · 07-08-2009, 12:13 PM

Sorry for the delayed response. I'll have to check the tie rods when I get home. Does your pitman point forward or go out the back of the steering gear? If it went out the back the part they gave me would work. But mine does not use a reverse gear and goes out the front.

aposak · 07-08-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilbrown45

Sorry for the delayed response. I'll have to check the tie rods when I get home. Does your pitman point forward or go out the back of the steering gear? If it went out the back the part they gave me would work. But mine does not use a reverse gear and goes out the front.

My Pitman arm points forward, and the drag link is forward of the steering gear. Drove the beast today, so I can look at anything on it if needed.

**Lilbrown45** · 07-08-2009, 07:17 PM

I ordered a new gear today and it should be in this evening. Before I leave the store I am going to make sure that the end shaft doesnt spin reverse. I went ahead and got new lines while I was at it. Any tips for bleeding? I am going to try to install late tonight.