Steering gear box

Jasonsupafly · December 3, 2011

2001 Z71 5.3 with 150,000 miles.

My power steering started making a weird noise yesterday as I pulled out to go to the hunting land. I quickly pulled back in to the driveway and parked it. When the sun came up I checked the fluid level and the resevoir was empty. I got it to my mechanic and he says the steering gear box was leaking. He quoted me 500.00 for the repair. Needless to say, I filled with more fluid and drove it back home for the tme being.

How hard of a job is this to do? Is it something I could do myself or better off leaving it to someone who does this for a living? What parts do I need to research for the best price and is there a "steering box" that is better to use than others? Does his price sound about right for this job?

Any help is greatly appreciated for money is tight taking it is Christmas time.

Thanks in advance for any help!

2009SierraZ71 · December 3, 2011

I replaced my steering box on my 93 2 wheel drive Sierra. I can tell you it wasn't fun but I was successful. I needed a front end alignment when I was finished. Even though I kept the steering wheel straight it was 45 degrees off when the wheels were straight. I posted about it some where on this board. And the shop I think wanted closer to $700 to do the steering box so I did it myself. The steering box cost me $200 or $250 so $500 to install it on yours doesn't sound bad to me. You'll need a puller for the pitman arm I think. I don't know how different a 2001 is from a 93 and mine was 2 wheel drive. Good luck.

klausmkl · December 3, 2011

It's not that simple of a job. You probably burned out the steering gear box with the lost fluid. So now you need a new gear box. The system needs to filled with fluid again and bled. You cant mess around with the steering which is serious like brakes. If you are mechanically inclined and have the service manual you could do this. Still though a new gear box is like $250 right there. Then you have to rent the puller to pull off the pittman arm. I would pay the money, steering is not one of those things you can do half ass. If you are going to do it as I will be doing mine only because I want to keep my truck like forever. I would get an agr steering box from summit auto. Put on a new pittman arm and replace the intermediate shaft at the same time. My Truck is 1998 Z71. Anyway Good Luck

Jasonsupafly · December 3, 2011

Appreciate the replies. He stated he saw where I had a leak on the box. He also said he has heard of people "resealing" the box at some places. Im sure I will be letting him do the job. He said I could get the part myself for cheaper than he could. Im not needing anything special I dont guess. He said most of the parts stores around town will only have the reman part anyways. Im just wondering if there is a paticular parts store or brand I should stay away from. Looks like it will run 200-230.00. I do plan on keeping this truck forever which I have already had it for many years. I dont want to use any junk part for I dont want to have to pay him to re-do again just a few months down the road

jblakeney · December 4, 2011

It is not that bad, to change the Steering gear. Unless you live in a salt band area. And you should not need an alignment afterwards. Note the position of the pitman arm prior to removing arm, replace in the same spot. However you should only be able to push the arm on in one spot and it line up with the grooves........

You will need a pitman arm puller. And socket large enough for the nut as well as a ratchet. Don't forget to soak it several times in penetrating oil several times prior to starting (ie spray if for a couple days, if it is bad rusty)

Happy bleeding of the power steering system.

Jbo

gmtech4 · December 4, 2011

wheels off the ground and engine off,turn wheels stop to stop several times to bleed it ....

and repairing the leak is easier than replacing the gear,they sell seals for it,

where is the leak coming from ? input or output seals?? is it the line above the box flowing onto the pump???

Jasonsupafly · December 5, 2011

Im not sure exactly where it is leaking.My mechanic just said the gear box is leaking.Wouldnt you have to remove the box to replace the seals?Liek I mentioned,he said he has heard of some people just replacing seals but he wasnt really sure who around my town would do it.He metioned the dealer may do it.My concern with them is the cost.