Power Steering Gear Box Replacement

sethel · Jul 24, 2017

I have a leak in my power steering. Yet my power steering still works when reservoir is full. Hoses look fine. Replaced my power steering pump. Although I haven't been able to pinpoint the source of the leak I derive it is the gear box. I have 3 questions:

1) How many hours would it take a novice with some mechanical knowledge to replace and not muck it up?

2) $150 (approximate) labor cost, is this the better route than tackling on your own?

3) Is it worth repairing? (i.e. if I replace only seals, will the gear box likely run for another 20 years?) This feels like it may cause the most headaches to only save $480 on a new gear box, but looking to see if it is relatively quick.

TylerZ281500 · Jul 24, 2017

i dont buy reman gear boxes, their tolerances are ****. the task overall takes about 30 minutes to drop and reinstall the box. or so ive gotten it down to a science. its a max of two lines and 5 bolts.

IMHO i always do the power steering mods, throw a quicker ratio gears in there and rebuild it with the standard 26 dollar rebuild kit.

east302 · Jul 24, 2017

Check YouTube for videos on replacing the steering gear to get a better idea of the process. The more tedious part will be getting the pitman arm off.

$150 for labor isn't too high (I think book time is 1.5-hrs) but you may end up with a nice markup on a marginal quality "rebuilt" box. The only way I'd have a shop do it is if they used a new GM box (and I'm not sure if they still make them or not) or use a RedHead box. They're around $300 plus core online, the shop would likely have some markup on that to cover their profit.

If it were me, I'd do it myself, go with a Redhead and probably put on a new pitman arm from Moog since you're there anyways. And if the tie rods looked rough, I'd do those, too. You know how it snowballs sometimes.

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Hipster · Jul 24, 2017

I too have repaired a couple leakers with the $20 dollar seal kits. Not much too them. I would do the kit and keep truckin'. The seal kit a pitman arm puller, a seal driver kit, and a couple cans of brake clean. Fist time, set aside an afternoon.

sethel · Jul 24, 2017

What ratio would

TylerZ281500 said:
i dont buy reman gear boxes, their tolerances are ****. the task overall takes about 30 minutes to drop and reinstall the box. or so ive gotten it down to a science. its a max of two lines and 5 bolts.

IMHO i always do the power steering mods, throw a quicker ratio gears in there and rebuild it with the standard 26 dollar rebuild kit.

Are you thinking a 12:1 ratio? Is that a good choice for an off road truck? even if 75% of the time its on the highway?

sethel · Jul 24, 2017

east302 said:
Check YouTube for videos on replacing the steering gear to get a better idea of the process. The more tedious part will be getting the pitman arm off.

$150 for labor isn't too high (I think book time is 1.5-hrs) but you may end up with a nice markup on a marginal quality "rebuilt" box. The only way I'd have a shop do it is if they used a new GM box (and I'm not sure if they still make them or not) or use a RedHead box. They're around $300 plus core online, the shop would likely have some markup on that to cover their profit.

If it were me, I'd do it myself, go with a Redhead and probably put on a new pitman arm from Moog since you're there anyways. And if the tie rods looked rough, I'd do those, too. You know how it snowballs sometimes.

The snowball effect is real! my pitman and outer tie rods were replaced with moog parts a couple years ago may look into changing anything else I can while down there regardless. But $300 with core trade-in is an excellent deal. I was looking at AGR. But I don't know if I wanted to go with a 12:1 or 13-16:1 or just the OEM (which I don't know what it is). Do you have thoughts on the ratio?

sethel · Jul 24, 2017

Hipster said:
I too have repaired a couple leakers with the $20 dollar seal kits. Not much too them. I would do the kit and keep truckin'. The seal kit a pitman arm puller, a seal driver kit, and a couple cans of brake clean. Fist time, set aside an afternoon.

How long did that repair take you? If it's not too much time and I don't find the want to change my gear ratio, this may be the best cost/benefit ratio as I think my gear box is perfectly fine. Then again I don't have anything to compare it to... Kinda like shocks you don't know how bad they are till you get new ones.

east302 · Jul 25, 2017

I want to say that stock is a 15:1, but am not sure. It's been a while since I checked, but I think that RedHead offered a couple of other ratios for the same price.

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delta_p · Jul 25, 2017

Number 3 for me. It's not that bad a job but don't do it if you do not like getting down in details of seals and bearings. There is a good set of instructions for Saginaw 800 at midwest https://www.midweststeering.com/service-information/

A couple of steps are worth noting.

getting the last ball bearing drop in on the correct side of the worm. Not a big deal, just have to repeat again if.

There is a blind seal #6 in the valve spool that the kit seal always seems like it wasn't the right size and you cant tell if it seats right on reassembly. That seal spins with the valve spool so it's probably not worn and can use the original. I just used the original again in my rebuild.

The plastic slider #40 over the main piston in the photo is a little difficult to install. The kit slider is new so it isn't compressed good to go back in the housing bore and its go a square edge on it, additionally you are putting it over a new oring which is not compressed. Also the edge of the piston and the ID of this new slider are about the same so just getting over the edge of the piston is a little difficult because the diameter is large. The way to solve this is to carefully remove the original slider and oring so you can use it again if needed. use the oven to lightly heat the slider so it is pliable to move but will retract back to shape when cooled. Emphasis on light heat.

I personally do not believe that "most" the aftermarket rebuilt boxes actually replace all the internal seals. I think they just replace the external seals, and do a hydraulic check on it and call it good. Replacing just the external seals is not a difficult job and worth doing to keep your excellent stock box operating.

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TylerZ281500 · Jul 25, 2017

ive always used quick turn and done a majority of the hydro steer mods without drilling and tapping on all mine, all lifted trucks, i prefer it, but i guess it could have ptoential hazards if you turn too sharp

Power Steering Gear Box Replacement

How should I repair my leaking, yet working, power steering pump?

Replace Myself with new gear box.

Have mechanic replace for around $150.

Repair gear box

sethel

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TylerZ281500

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east302

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Hipster

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sethel

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sethel

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sethel

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