Dtret Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 I took a gamble and lost. My steering gear box is leaking at the pitman arm end. How hard are they to rebuild/ reseal? I see the kits on eBay for around 35 bucks. Opinions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 You could try and change the seal on the pitman shaft not that hard I did one on an old chevy van I had years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 Ya I was just looking at that. Could be an easy option. Well nothing is ever easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 I've changed the seals in the past too. Not too bad from what I remember. Worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted September 14, 2021 Author Share Posted September 14, 2021 3 minutes ago, jft69z said: I've changed the seals in the past too. Not too bad from what I remember. Worth a try. Obviously I would rather not have to take it off, but if I have to now is the time. Is it doable on the frame or should I pull it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 I did mine on the van but it was up in the air on a lift. But you should be able to do it on the ground, I changed Pittman arms before on the ground. You'll need a Pittman arm puller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 35 minutes ago, Dtret said: Obviously I would rather not have to take it off, but if I have to now is the time. Is it doable on the frame or should I pull it? I've done them in the vehicle before, and I've pulled them off. Easier on the bench, instead of looking at it upside down. Three frame bolts, 2 lines and the rag joint coupler and its out. Ten minutes of work so you don't have to screw around on your back, especially since everything is out in the open right now....I know what I would do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted September 14, 2021 Author Share Posted September 14, 2021 9 hours ago, cny first gen 71 said: I did mine on the van but it was up in the air on a lift. But you should be able to do it on the ground, I changed Pittman arms before on the ground. You'll need a Pittman arm puller. The tools I have. The desire to do it is questionable. Lol. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 1 hour ago, Dtret said: The tools I have. The desire to do it is questionable. Lol. I know that feeling well, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob 71 Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 ive done a bunch mostly daily drivers. its gonna be a little messy/oily. check the shaft for pitting or play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted September 14, 2021 Author Share Posted September 14, 2021 7 hours ago, bob 71 said: ive done a bunch mostly daily drivers. its gonna be a little messy/oily. check the shaft for pitting or play. Will do. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotinrob Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 I would take this opportunity to change it to a Jeep Grand Cherokee box. Better feel and dirt cheap, still could have the leak though. You will need a new rag joint and some metric hoses or adaptors other than that it is a direct fit and looks the same. Lots of information on A-body sites to do the swap. Very easy and worth doing compared to the no feel variable ratio box that is stock. rotin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S. Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 2 hours ago, rotinrob said: I would take this opportunity to change it to a Jeep Grand Cherokee box. Better feel and dirt cheap, still could have the leak though. You will need a new rag joint and some metric hoses or adaptors other than that it is a direct fit and looks the same. Lots of information on A-body sites to do the swap. Very easy and worth doing compared to the no feel variable ratio box that is stock. rotin Tons of these steering boxes at Pick n Pull. Seams they all got retired at the same time. lol Just be sure to check the code on the component body to make sure you get the 12.7 to 1 model. I found that tube compression fittings worked well to hook the lines up without taking everything apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted September 16, 2021 Author Share Posted September 16, 2021 Might be an option. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 Also g-bodys 442, Grand National, Monte Carlo SS, IROC Z, Z28, Trans Am, Formulas from the late 80s/ early 90s have quick ratio boxes also. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotinrob Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 (edited) The internal stops are wrong is those boxes so you might not like your steering radius. They can be changed but why when the JGC box has the proper stops (well close enough anyway). The TA WS6 box has the best internals as does the IROC box. I have a list somewhere of what T-bars and what stops are in the various boxes. Thing is if you are going to go this far as to custom building a box we would be having this discussion on another level, like how much fun it is to find all of the balls when they accidently hit the floor and how many do I need to find. rotin Edited September 17, 2021 by rotinrob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted September 20, 2021 Author Share Posted September 20, 2021 I think I’m going to stick with the stock box FOR NOW ( lol). See how bad it is to drive. I’ve never driven it so we will see. Also turns out it’s not the pitman shaft it’s the steering shaft leaking it was just dripping down. Seal kit will be here today (usps that’s funny). It’s already apart and ready to be done. I’m still waiting, come on post person Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted September 20, 2021 Author Share Posted September 20, 2021 Post person showed up. Gearbox back on car ready for round two 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted September 20, 2021 Share Posted September 20, 2021 1 hour ago, Dtret said: Post person showed up. Gearbox back on car ready for round two Now your ready for the next problem that pops up. Your getting pretty good at that kind of stuff 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted September 20, 2021 Author Share Posted September 20, 2021 23 minutes ago, cny first gen 71 said: Now your ready for the next problem that pops up. Your getting pretty good at that kind of stuff 👍 It’s funny. Ya know it doesn’t even hurt when I get kicked anymore. I’m getting kind of used to it. Lol. Ya just gotta laugh it off and move on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted September 20, 2021 Share Posted September 20, 2021 4 minutes ago, Dtret said: It’s funny. Ya know it doesn’t even hurt when I get kicked anymore. I’m getting kind of used to it. Lol. Ya just gotta laugh it off and move on Ain't that the truth 😤 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted September 20, 2021 Author Share Posted September 20, 2021 Just now, cny first gen 71 said: Ain't that the truth 😤 Keep in mind I NEVER said that I like it. Lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotinrob Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 But how do you like that no feel steering box? rotin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 5 minutes ago, rotinrob said: But how do you like that no feel steering box? rotin I don’t know. I don’t have a body or steering wheel. If I jack up the front I can turn the wheels by hand( would be easier if I started it and let the power steering help) I can turn the wheels and they feel ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71SSclone Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 Dtret, Your car sounds like mine...2 steps forward and 1 step backwards. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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