Power Steering Gear replacement

[Shran]

Pull the box, route both lines into a drain pan, unplug the coil pack and crank the engine over for 10 seconds or so. Let any left over oil drain out and then put it back together. If you really want to get crazy with it you could remove the lines and flush them and the pump out with brake cleaner but I think that's going a little overboard.

 

[rumblecloud]

Thanks. I love this site.

 

[rumblecloud]

So for my Birthday on December 6th, my wife gave me Covid - we've both been down since - hers is worse than mine. Anyway I'm starting to come out of it and went out to today to start on the gear removal.

Can anyone confirm the size of the pitman arm nut? I've tried 1-1/4 - too small and 32mm very close but I'd have to pound it on.

Found one thread that says 1-5/16 which seems about right. I've looked through the Tech section and the Haynes manual as well.

If I knew the size I could get curbside pickup but for obvious reasons I only wanna go out once .

Sorry for being a PIA on this stupid job.
Thank you guys.
r

 

[AndyB.]

I used a 1-5/16. Mine is a 3/4” drive.

 

[Shran]

I'll try and remember to throw a socket on mine this evening... I'm pretty sure I used a metric axle nut socket on it, maybe a 33mm? Only because I had it and it kinda fit. I should know this by heart as I have removed those nuts a thousand times.

 

[rumblecloud]

I got the lines off the gear box, but that's about all I had in me. Really tire out fast. I guess I need a few more days off
Not a lot of room down there.

 

[rumblecloud]

Been feeling a little better everyday and spending a little morer time on the removal - what a b**ch.
What is this - Draglink ? Tried a pitman arm puller with no luck. Eventually a three pound sledge and about 6 really good whacks on the end of the threaded fitting. Luckily no damage to the seal as far as I can see.


With that off, the steering gear came out with the pitman still attached. Much easier to beat on it when it's up on the bench.

Pitman arm puller was a complete fail. Ended up driving a wedge between the gear box body and the flange on the pitman and applying heat till it finally gave up. I win.

I'll prolly start putting it all back together over the next couple of days. I realize this is all old hat to most of you, but it's new to me so it's fun and give me a sense of accomplishment so bear with me -- I'll try not to hurt my arm while patting myself on the back.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Remove entire ford system.

Replace with Volvo electric pump.

I hear the Mazda ones are nice too.

Note: big undertaking, and guessing a massive PITA on a serpentine belt engine. Easy on a first gen, though. First gen pumps are awful.

 

[rumblecloud]

Blasphemy!
I already have the reman pump or I would seriously consider it.
Will still look into it though for "future" consideration.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

To remove pitman arm or tierods without putting stress on anything....
Take a two hammers and and put one on the opposite side of the pitman arm where the shaft goes thru. The second hammer use to give a good hard rap. It might take two or three raps. Most times they will just fall apart.

 

[rumblecloud]

I win...finally.
Using a combination of all of the above, the pitman arm gave in. Since I didn't care about damaging the steering gear I was able to use considerable force (large hammers)
It's all back together kind of. The gear is installed with the lines hooked up. I bled it a little last night, but am sure to do more as I finalize everything else.
I've decided to replace the springs and shocks and clean everything up before attaching steering linkages.
So thanks for everyone's help. I'm excited to get this under my belt and for the next challenge the springs and shocks will present.
I'm gonna bore you all to death with that one over in the other forum.