Im doing a complete front end rebuild. I pulled the steering box out to remove the pitman arm. I broke a puller trying to get it off. I took it to a machine shop, and they couldnt get it off. He said he even heated it up with no luck. Now Im worried he might have damaged it with the heat.

When I had this thing on the ground, I swear I didnt notice any play in it. Now that I got it back, I get just a little back and forth rocking in the shaft of the arm coming out of the box if I wiggle the pitman arm. Is this normal. My friend says it will tighten back up when theres more fluid in it. I had them check one at the parts store, and they said thiers had no play. I hate to wast $200 for a new one if I dont need it.

The main reason for the front end rebuild is to get rid of a bad squeek. It was also wondering back and forth. I found a bad idler arm. Fixed that, now it kinda dives to one side, then the other. It really got harder to drive after I changed the idler arm. There is what I would call excesive play in the steering wheel. I assumed it was from the worn out steering parts. Do you guys think the steering box could be part of the problem. There wasnt any whining, or fluid leaking.Whats the symtoms of a bad box. Thanks

 

from what I have read and from what I know about my truck sounds like atleast a bad rag joint on the steering shaft here is another post that talks about all of it hope this helps http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=370830

 

steering boxes seldom go bad. They leak when seals go out and whine if worm gear is worn. Check the rag joint and coupler for play just above the steering box going toward the firewall. If need be take rag joint apart and see if your play is in the shaft going to the steering column or on the steering box side.
to tighten up steering box there should be a nut with an allen head screw in the middle of it on top towards the firewall end of steering box. loosen nut and tighten allen head screw about a quarter to half a turn. hold allen head screw in place with allen wrench while you tighten and loosen nut around it.
the wandering could be coming from mis allignment of the front end after running awhile with a bad idler arm. Check your tie rod ends for play also and your upper and lower ball joints for play and replace accordingly.
There shouldnt be any play in shaft coming out of steering box, but if it dont leak I wouldnt worry about it.