Steering gear box 2001 silverado

[country_09]

Well the time has come. I need to replace the gear box and while I'm there do the pitman arm as well. But are there any tips/tricks to doin it? Truck has a 10" cognito so I have clearance to work with. Have mechanical know-how, but have never done a gear box. Also, is there a brand to look for that'll last? I have 37x13.5x22 on 22x14s. I don't drive it much, but def want whatever I get to last. Appreciate any info

[Jsdirt]

Ahh, sounds like it's a totally different design than the '96 - in that case you SHOULD be able to remove the entire assembly in one shot, pitman and all. If not you can just angle the box to where you can get the puller in, and yank it off first ... but don't forget, you'd have to jam the box back in there before installing the new one.

 

Yes- with a new box you will most certainly have to bleed it. I recommend, before you start removing the old box, to flush the power steering fluid out real good - empty the reservoir, fill with new, then remove the return line and put it in a pan - keep filling it as engine is running (a long funnel is your best friend here) - helps to have another guy on the key, and to turn the wheel back and forth several times as you're doing this. Now, you'll have fresh fluid in the system in preparation for the new box - if anything were to happen to the new box, they'd void the warranty if they find old fluid in it.

 

To bleed, jack whole front end in the air a bit, fire it up, and turn the wheels back and forth as far as you can WITHOUT hitting the stops (this will make the process take 20x longer if you accidentally hit the stops) - keep checking the fluid as you do this. It will drop way down as the air escapes. Be patient - it can take quite a while sometimes. You'll know when you're getting close as the noise gets less and less.

 

It helps before you start to count the number of turns of the wheel until it hits the stops, remember where the wheel is, and turn just short of that when bleeding.

[country_09]

Awesome man. Appreciate the help, now off to find a box

[Jsdirt]

You're welcome Ronnie - glad to help. Good luck in the search. Let us know how it goes.

[Jsdirt]

2wd is real easy, 4x4 can be a pain. Last one I did was on a '96 Tahoe 4x4 (had to remove steering box from frame to remove pitman arm - left lines connected). There's a bunch of crap in the way on 4x4s, namely the core support bracing in the center. I can't remember offhand the differences between '96 & '01 up front there, however. Just got to be patient, and remove anything that is in your way.

 

Since you're in TX, that part should be easy - up here the torches, hammers, chisels, and tap/die sets have to come out on anything older than 10 years ...

 

I don't have any experience with these places, but they look like a big step ahead of OE or parts store units:

 

http://www.powersteering.com/power-steering-gearbox-rebuilds/

 

http://www.larescorp.com

 

 

http://www.steerandgear.com

[country_09]

2wd is real easy, 4x4 can be a pain. Last one I did was on a '96 Tahoe 4x4 (had to remove steering box from frame to remove pitman arm - left lines connected). There's a bunch of crap in the way on 4x4s, namely the core support bracing in the center. I can't remember offhand the differences between '96 & '01 up front there, however. Just got to be patient, and remove anything that is in your way.

 

Since you're in TX, that part should be easy - up here the torches, hammers, chisels, and tap/die sets have to come out on anything older than 10 years ...

 

I don't have any experience with these places, but they look like a big step ahead of OE or parts store units:

 

http://www.powersteering.com/power-steering-gearbox-rebuilds/

 

http://www.larescorp.com

 

 

http://www.steerandgear.com

It is 4wd, Ive checked it out and maybe because I've done electric fans there's more room compared to what there normally is for an 01 with the clutch fan plus the lift height. It doesn't seem as crammed in there. Is there a way to take it all out in one piece or will I need the pitman puller to separate it? That's probably my main question because from the looks of it, takin the gear box off the truck is relatively simple.

 

When putting it back together, do you have to bleed the steering system? Not entirely sure how one would go about that. Rather easy on brakes. Is there a bleeder on the gear box that I haven't seen before if you have to? Or is it as simple as put fluid back in it and go? Thanks for the links man! Will check them out.