Gear box shaft seal help!

Help please! Working on my 88 GMC c1500- So I started a pitman arm shaft seal replacement with the gear box still mounted; and as they say, Murphy’s law kicked in!

I took the 4 bolts out of the top and lifted the sector shaft completely out of the gear box.

That gave me good access to the bottom of the box and I was able to remove the 1st seal, washer, and snap ring. Now I can’t get the main shaft seal out. I have heard people use the pressure of the pump to push it out, but I don’t have that option as I have it all apart.

2 questions-

1. How do I get that last seal out
2. When I lifted the sector shaft out of the gear box, the shaft accidentally spun around, so now it is not exactly in the same position that it was when it came out.
I know It only goes in 1 way, but since it spun around, did I really screw it up? Or is that a problem?

Thanks in advance!!

Have you looked on you tube? I don't have the answer for you but I'm curious because mines leaking also.

In this case YouTube is your friend. There are a handful of good videos on rebuilding your box. Once the pitman arm is busted loose, pulling the gearbox in and out is easy and well worth it for maintenance.

jcain226 said:

Help please! Working on my 88 GMC c1500- So I started a pitman arm shaft seal replacement with the gear box still mounted; and as they say, Murphy’s law kicked in!

I took the 4 bolts out of the top and lifted the sector shaft completely out of the gear box.

That gave me good access to the bottom of the box and I was able to remove the 1st seal, washer, and snap ring. Now I can’t get the main shaft seal out. I have heard people use the pressure of the pump to push it out, but I don’t have that option as I have it all apart.

2 questions-

1. How do I get that last seal out
2. When I lifted the sector shaft out of the gear box, the shaft accidentally spun around, so now it is not exactly in the same position that it was when it came out.
I know It only goes in 1 way, but since it spun around, did I really screw it up? Or is that a problem?

Thanks in advance!!

Click to expand...

1. The easiest way is to use a long punch or flat bladed screwdriver and attack the seal from the inside of the gearbox. You should be able to easily drive it out this way. I did mine on a bench, so positioning was easier. If you go ahead and remove the box mounting bolts, the lines, and the steering shaft you will have an easier time too.

2. The preload screw on the cover has a locknut on it, so I doubt you've changed the preload setting. You are correct that it should only logically go in one way. I don't think you've screwed anything up.

I would go ahead an pull the box and download the setup manual for the Saginaw gearbox so that you can properly reseal the whole thing (I'm guessing you bought a kit) and set the correct preload on the steering input shaft and the on-center/preload on the sector shaft. Just takes a beam style inch-pound torque wrench available at most parts store for a little money.

I had intended on making a writeup for rebuilding the box, but there was so little interest in the pump rebuild writeup I did that I don't believe it is worth the effort. People go to YouTube for such information, anymore.

The service manual has sections on rebuilding and preload adjustments. It would be worth checking, here’s the link: