Power Steering Gear replacement

[rumblecloud]

Got my birthday/Christmas present today. Not sure when I'll get to it, but I thought I would start lining up the parts.
Until then, I'll be doing a lot of research in preparation.

 

[Shran]

Yay. One of my least favorite parts to replace.

Helps to have another person there to line up the steering column shaft while you hold the gear box. You will also need a pitman arm puller... the "arms" on the puller need to be fairly thin so that they fit between the gearbox and pitman arm. Many common pullers do not fit Ford boxes.

 

[Paulos]

Got my birthday/Christmas present today. Not sure when I'll get to it, but I thought I would start lining up the parts.
Until then, I'll be doing a lot of research in preparation.

View attachment 68822

Wow. Shiny.

 

[rumblecloud]

I'm excited about doing something I haven't done before. That said, it doesn't look like much fun.

 

[Paulos]

It depends on what you think "fun" is. I did mine last year, and I didn't think it was fun. This loaner tool from Autozone worked good for removing the pitman arm. Tighten it, hit it with a big hammer, the pitman arm comes loose. I did hit the threads with penetrating oil for a couple days before removing it. It probably helped(?).

https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loaner-pitman-arm-puller/p/oemtools-1-3-16in-opening-pitman-arm-puller/555623_0_0

 

[rumblecloud]

Before I replace the steering gear I need to flush the system prior to removing the gear box ( a required procedure to not void the warranty). I need to remove the inlet line at the reservoir. There's only two lines and I think it's the one I have circled in the image - yes I know it's a dumb question. I could just pull it off and find out, but I'm bored...
So did I guess right?

 

[rumblecloud]

... This loaner tool from Autozone worked good for removing the pitman arm. Tighten it, hit it with a big hammer, the pitman arm comes loose. I did hit the threads with penetrating oil for a couple days before removing it. It probably helped(?).

https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loaner-pitman-arm-puller/p/oemtools-1-3-16in-opening-pitman-arm-puller/555623_0_0

I love tools and I don't have a pitman arm puller. And the one you linked to is not very expensive

 

[bobbywalter]

It's easy on a lifted truck. Pia on a stocker


Use locktite. Check torque periodically.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Tried pulling the one from my parts truck for a core to get the ball rolling. It is basically a steering box on the forward 4' of frame.

Bent the crap out of a PT pitman arm puller. Broke off the four bolts that were rusted down to about half diameter and the stupid thing is still stuck on the frame with the pitman arm on it.

 

[rumblecloud]

Well... I'll expect the worst and hope for the best. I'll be hitting it with PB blaster until I start banging on it -- which won't be for a week or so now. Have other things to take care of before then. Need to get the Ranger in it's final resting position for the winter so I can make room for the tractor and blade. Will post pics and progress when we start. Thanks for the tips.

 

[AndyB.]

The line you have circled in the pressure line. The return line connects to the bottom of the reservoir (to a plastic fitting). I think the return line is the one you want to remove for a flush.

 

[rumblecloud]

Yep, the return line is the one. Hard to see from the top, but it's this one, taken from the back side - of course it's the one that's hardest to reach

 

[AndyB.]

You might want to disconnect it from the gear box. The reservoirs get brittle with age, and it’s easy to break that connector off. If you’re replacing hoses, I’d cut the hose off that plastic connector and not do anything to try to pry it off.

 

[rumblecloud]

Thanks for the heads up.
I do have a spare pump and reservoir that I salvaged from a junked 4.0, but I'll be careful with it.

 

[rumblecloud]

The questions keep on rolling...
With the gearbox I purchased came instructions to flush the system so as not to void the warranty. I get it -- they don't want crud from the old system messing up their reman'd box. So I'm thinking I would flush the system first and then replace the box.

But doesn't it make more sense to replace the box first and then flush the lines and clean the reservoir before you hook the lines back up?
What difference does it make if I do it before or after? The gear box is already clean and and the ports are sealed.

The reason I ask is that I think removing the air compressor and the power steering pump and reservoir will make it a lot easier to get at the gear box. I know most of the work can be done from the side and underneath, but still.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.