Replace seals on power steering gear box on truck or bench?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

dkraven

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2022
Posts
72
Reaction score
78
Location
Portland, OR
First Name
David
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
c25 Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350
Pretty much what the title says. The power steering gear box on my 77 Sierra Grande is leaking at both the input shaft and the pitman arm, gonna put new seals in this weekend. Any reason not to do it on the truck? Main thing I can think of is getting it on the bench will make it easier to clean and see everything. Also, I've seen some videos where people replace the pitman shaft seals without removing the shaft from the top and some where they remove the shaft. Removing it seems easier, thoughts?
 

fast 99

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2021
Posts
2,078
Reaction score
3,043
Location
Spokane, Washington
First Name
Brian
Truck Year
81,85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
The second pitman arm shaft seal is not very accessible. Can drill it and use a slide hammer. Really isn't much more work to take box out, working upside down isn't fun.
 

PrairieDrifter

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
3,868
Reaction score
5,686
Location
North Dakota
First Name
Mason
Truck Year
84,79,77,76,70,48
Truck Model
Suburban k10, bonanza k10, k30, k20, c10, gmc 1/2ton
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350, 350, 350
Be very careful to not let the input shaft turn or come out when you're removing the adjusting sleeve and locking collar. Especially turning, hold it while removing the sleeve. Or you'll be taking the whole box apart. Ask me how I know lol. Can be done on the truck, the worst part was getting the shaft on and off the input shaft.

Get the little spanner, it's cheap, no headache or damage. You'll have to do it again someday in the far future lol. Or near future, depending on your other vehicles.
 

dkraven

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2022
Posts
72
Reaction score
78
Location
Portland, OR
First Name
David
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
c25 Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350
Good point, don't need to be dripping poaer steering fluid on my face more than necessary.
Thanks Prairie, I don't mind getting a tool even one time use to save a headache. I thought about just doing the whole bix but then the first video I watched with all those ball bearings coming out I decided nah.. Seen people mark the input pieces for alignment after, that a good idea?
 

Old Guy Bill

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2023
Posts
438
Reaction score
1,355
Location
KY
First Name
Bill
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
Inspect it carefully.
This is what I found on mine.
You must be registered for see images attach
 

PrairieDrifter

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
3,868
Reaction score
5,686
Location
North Dakota
First Name
Mason
Truck Year
84,79,77,76,70,48
Truck Model
Suburban k10, bonanza k10, k30, k20, c10, gmc 1/2ton
Engine Size
350, 350, 350, 350, 350, 350
Yep, make sure you have three marks. Box, adjuster, locking collar.
You must be registered for see images attach
 

dkraven

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2022
Posts
72
Reaction score
78
Location
Portland, OR
First Name
David
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
c25 Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350
Welp I effed it up. Gouged the inside of the housing good removing a seal, probably a millimeter deep. Guess time to gamble on a reman box.
 

Dmack

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2019
Posts
338
Reaction score
448
Location
Central OR
First Name
Dave
Truck Year
1983
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
I would try replacing the seals and see how it goes. Seal kits are cheap (as am I).
 

Radiohead

That guy on the Columbia
Joined
Mar 17, 2022
Posts
2,488
Reaction score
8,117
Location
Low Earth Orbit where it's safer
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
MCMLXXIX
Truck Model
C-20 Silverado Camper Special
Engine Size
454 crazy cubes, or 7.4 luscious litres
Me too and I have the seals waiting in the wings. I remember doing the pitman arm shaft seal once by removing the arm and seal clip, then started engine and ran steering wheel around to the stop, bumping old seal and a bit of fluid too. Won't work on input shaft seal, so out this box comes to keep it simpler. I'll post it up when that job starts. Even in this decrepit condition I don't see it taking longer than a day


famous last words
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,346
Posts
954,878
Members
36,584
Latest member
brunoD
Top