Steering Box

[cdiddy]

The seal around the shaft that sticks out of the steering box is leaking pretty bad. Was wondering if there is a seal kit for this problem or do I have to get a new steering box. If I can change out the seal, how hard is this or is this somthing that I need to take it in for? Another thing, I had to change out my thermostat and I went ahead and did a coolant flush too. Now when Im driving I get a low coolant message. Ive checked the coolant when the truck is running and its low but when I take the cap off the coolant comes back up to the fill line. Even when the truck is cool the coolant level is fine. Mabey I didnt fill it right or somthing. ?????????

 

Thanks

[GM-Tech]

The seal around the shaft that sticks out of the steering box is leaking pretty bad.

 

Which shaft? The pitman shaft which sticks out the bottom or the stub shaft that the shaft from the steering column connects to?

 

FWD cars often are difficult to purge the air, but that doesn't usually happen in trucks. Still, that may be what's going on.

[cdiddy]

The seal around the shaft that sticks out of the steering box is leaking pretty bad.

 

Which shaft? The pitman shaft which sticks out the bottom or the stub shaft that the shaft from the steering column connects to?

 

FWD cars often are difficult to purge the air, but that doesn't usually happen in trucks. Still, that may be what's going on.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

 

Its going to be the stub shaft.

[GM-Tech]

Here ya go, have fun! Sorry the photos included with the instructions don't carry over...

 

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Steering Gear Stub Shaft Seals and Bearing Replacement - Off Vehicle

 

Tools Required

J 29810 Stub Shaft Seal Protector

 

Disassembly Procedure

 

 

 

 

Remove the steering gear from the vehicle, refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement .

Remove the adjuster plug lock nut (5) from the adjuster plug (4).

Remove the adjuster plug (4) from the gear assembly (1).

Remove the adjuster spring (3) and the rack bearing (2).

Remove the spool shaft boot (1) from the rack and pinion gear assembly.

Remove the retaining ring (2) from the valve bore of the rack and pinion gear assembly.

Remove the dust cover (4) from the bottom of the rack and pinion gear assembly.

Remove the hex lock nut (3) from the lower end of the pinion and valve assembly while holding the stub shaft with a 14 mm crowfoot wrench.

 

 

 

Important: When performing the following procedure, do not remove pinion and valve assembly from the rack and pinion gear assembly (5). Press the pinion and valve assembly only far enough to allow removal of the stub shaft bearing annulus (3) and the stub shaft seal (2).

 

 

Using an arbor press (1), press on the threaded end of the pinion until removal of the following items is possible:

The stub shaft (4)

The stub shaft seal (2)

The stub shaft bearing annulus assembly (3)

Assembly Procedure

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

 

 

 

 

 

Install the hex lock nut (1) onto the pinion while holding the valve stub shaft.

 

Tighten

Tighten the nut to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

 

Install the dust cover (2) to the rack and pinion gear assembly.

 

 

 

Install the stub shaft bearing annulus assembly (1) onto the valve stub shaft (2).

 

 

 

Install J 29810 onto the valve stub shaft.

Lubricate the stub shaft seal (3) with grease.

Install the stub shaft seal (3) into the rack and pinion gear assembly.

Install the retaining ring (2) into the groove in the rack and pinion gear assembly.

Install the spool shaft boot (1) onto the rack and pinion gear assembly.

 

 

 

Lubricate the following items with lithium base grease:

The rack bearing (2)

The adjuster spring (3)

The adjuster plug (4)

Install the following items into the gear assembly:

The rack bearing (2)

The adjuster spring (3)

The adjuster plug (4)

 

 

 

 

Turn the adjuster plug (1) clockwise onto the rack and pinion gear assembly until the adjuster plug (1) bottoms in the rack and pinion gear assembly, then turn the adjuster plug (1) back 50 degrees to 70 degrees.

Check the rotational torque on the pinion. The maximum pinion preload torque is 1.8 N·m (16 lb in).

 

 

 

Install the adjuster plug lock nut (5) to the adjuster plug (4). Finger tighten the adjuster plug lock nut (5) while holding the adjuster plug (4) stationary.

 

Tighten

Tighten the nut to 68 N·m (50 lb ft).

 

Install the steering gear into the vehicle, refer to Power Steering Gear Replacement .

Important: Flush and bleed power the steering system (hoses, reservoir and cooler lines) with power steering fluid GM P/N 1050017 (Canadian P/N 992646) (or equivalent meeting GM Specification number 9985010).

 

 

Refer to Bleeding the Power Steering System .

[cdiddy]

Man, sounds like a job. Could you send me the instructions on how to Flush and bleed power the steering system. Also is there any way that I could get the photos for the Steering Gear Stub Shaft Seals and Bearing Replacement, and the photos for the Flush and bleed power the steering system??

 

Thanks

[GM-Tech]

The flush and bleed procedures are below. No pictures are needed. As for the seal replacement procedure, I might have posted the wrong one. Which gear do you have? Do you know? Is it rack and pinion, standard 670 or 680? Hopefully one of the latter two, because those are a LOT easier than what I posted.

 

 

 

Flushing the Power Steering System

 

Important: Do not reuse any drained power steering fluid regardless of appearance or condition.

 

 

Turn off the engine.

Raise the front end of the vehicle off the ground until the tires and wheels turn freely. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

Place a large container under the fluid return hose in order to collect the draining fluid.

Remove the fluid return hose at the power steering pump reservoir inlet connection.

Plug the reservoir return hose inlet connection on the power steering pump.

Important:

 

• This step may require 4 L (4 qt) of power steering fluid until the draining fluid appears clear.

 

• Do not run the engine without the power steering fluid level at FULL COLD.

 

 

Run the engine at idle while an assistant maintains the fluid level at FULL COLD in the reservoir using new approved power steering fluid.

Turn off the engine.

Turn the steering wheel fully to the left and to the right.

Remove the plug from the pump reservoir inlet connection.

Install the fluid return hose to the pump reservoir.

Maintain the fluid level at FULL COLD.

Operate the engine at idle for approximately 15 minutes.

Repeat steps 3-5.

Inspect the power steering fluid for the following indications of contamination:

 

- Milky fluid - water

 

- Brown fluid - burnt

 

- Plastic debris or dirt chunks

 

If the fluid is contaminated, repeat steps 6-12 in order to complete a third flush.

Remove the plug from the pump reservoir inlet connection.

Install the fluid return hose to the pump reservoir.

Clean any spilled fluid.

Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Bleeding the Power Steering System

 

 

Bleeding the Power Steering System

 

Important:

 

• Use clean, new power steering fluid type only. See the Maintenance and Lubrication subsection for fluid specifications. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .

 

• Hoses touching the frame, body or engine may cause system noise. Verify that the hoses do not touch any other part of the vehicle.

 

• Loose connections may not leak, but could allow air into the steering system. Verify that all hose connections are tight.

 

 

Important: Power steering fluid level must be maintained throughout bleed procedure.

 

 

Fill pump reservoir with fluid to minimum system level, FULL COLD level, or middle of hash mark on cap stick fluid level indicator.

Important: With hydro-boost only, the oil level will appear falsely high if the hydro-boost accumulator is not fully charged. Do not apply the brake pedal with the engine OFF. This will discharge the hydro-boost accumulator.

 

 

If equipped with hydro-boost, fully charge the hydro-boost accumulator using the following procedure:

Start the engine.

Firmly apply the brake pedal 10-15 times.

Turn the engine OFF.

Raise the vehicle until the front wheels are off the ground. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

Key on engine OFF, turn the steering wheel from stop to stop 12 times. Vehicles equipped with hydro-boost systems or longer length power steering hoses may require turns up to 15 to 20 stop to stops.

Verify power steering fluid level per operating specification. Refer to Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid .

Start the engine. Rotate steering wheel from left to right. Check for sign of cavitation or fluid aeration (pump noise/whining).

Verify the fluid level. Repeat the bleed procedure if necessary.

[cdiddy]

Not sure which gear I have. I think that it is a rack and pinion. Its just a gear box with two lines on top and then a shaft on the bottom where the pitman arm attaches to. It looks like all I would have to do is disconnect the pitman arm, the steering shaft, and the and the two lines on top, pull the steering box off and replace the seal right?? The only problem I see is how to get the old seal out with the steering shaft stub sticking out. Then once I get the seal replaced, put it all back together and do a flush and bleed on the system right?? Im just gessing.

 

Thanks.

[GM-Tech]

Rack and pinion doesn't have a pitman shaft.

 

The instructions I gave you were for a rack and pinion. Here's the regular gear box. You'll like this, it is much easier!

 

 

Stub Shaft Housing Replacement (670 Gear)

 

Disassembly Procedure

 

Important: Replace the housing if the stub shaft housing, seal or bearing are damaged.

 

 

Remove the stub shaft housing bolts (4) from the stub shaft housing (3).

Remove the stub shaft housing (3) from the steering gear.

Remove the stub shaft housing O-rings (1) (2) from the steering gear.

Assembly Procedure

 

Grease the stub shaft seal with the special grease supplied with the new stub shaft housing.

Install the new stub shaft housing O-rings (1) (2).

Install the stub shaft housing (3) onto the steering gear.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

 

Install the stub shaft housing bolts (4) into the stub shaft housing (3).

 

Tighten

Tighten the stub shaft housing bolts to 63 N·m (46 lb ft).