Hi

It appears one has to remove the whole steering gear box to then gain access to remove and replace the pitman arm. Then re-install. Does anyone have a good video on this or some tips?

I have a pitman arm removal tool at school to do the job. Any other dumb GM tools that are required to make this job happen?

 

Should just be 3 16mm bolts holding the steering box in. You can access them from inside the fenderwell, they go through the frame rail and thread into the steering box. It's tight, but take your time and you should be able to finagle it around to gain access to use the pitman arm puller with it still in the vehicle, and avoid having to remove the power steering lines

 

So 3 bolts, loosen, then get underneath and try and move the gear box over 2 inches over to the passenger side ( then hits lines ) and somehow reach the pitman arm puller tool up and remove it all while not removing the lines from the top of the gear box ???

I mean I can try that . but since its a 4x4 model and that huge below it i doubt it .. I think one has to remove the lines from the top of pump. disconnect steering column from gear box, try and make space to move box over and down out of truck to even begin to think of removing pitman arm on the bench..and even then look at the pics, there are lines to the left of the rusty gear box blocking it!

man this is gonna be fun!!!!!!!!
All data seems to call for full removal of gear box....

 

youre going to need a impact, used to do them all the time. you just kinda tip the box sideways to get access to the giant nut and zap it off. i dont know how the heck you can do it with hand tools as youre going to be twisting the box when trying to take it off. but yeah not that bad at work on the lift with air tools

 

i am in a shop at school so i have access to almost all tools required.

thanks for your reply.

so i believe you that you've taken them out lots.

what is the procedure you use then

1. remove steering rag joint ( lock steering wheel prior with bungee cord or use proper locking method as mentioned in alldata(ondemand mitchell).

2. Remove 3 bolts holding gear box

3. slightly rotate steering box i can use impact gun on nut ( I would but of course steering lines would hold it in place SO THEY MUST BE REMOVED?? RIGHT ?? )

4. separate pit-man arm from center link at same time

5. reverse procedure to put back together?

Am I semi right?