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| | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 105 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 105 | My Manual Steering Box has a leaking shaft at the pitman arm shaft.
I've been reading up on this, so this afternoon I went down to my local FLAPS and borrowed a Pitman Arm Puller.
I got home, installed the puller on the arm, did ten pushups, chugged a beer and said a prayer.
After a little heat from the torch and twist from the impact gun, The arm popped right off. Not nearly the battle I had anticipated.
My question to you is this: Has anyone snuck out the seal that seals the shaft without total disassembly? I'm deathly afraid of pulling this sucker apart to loose a ball bearing, or not re assemble it properly.
I have read that you just pop the old seal out and install a new one.
Does anyone have any tips? | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | You may not appreciate this tip but here goes. If there is any play between the shaft and the bushing, no seal will do the job. With the pitman arm in place, if the shaft jumps or clunks as you move the steering wheel back and forth, there is play in the bushing.
They are not hard to take apart and there is no need to take out the circulating balls unless you suspect trouble with them. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | I drill a small hole in the seal face and screw in a small sheet metal screw. If the screw is long enough you can keep tightening it and it will jack the seal out. Be careful not to get to close to the shaft or you can nick it.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,201 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,201 | Use a screw just as Dave mentions above. It will come right out. When going back together, use a piece of pipe or large washer to knock the seal back in. They are pretty weak around the edge and easy to bend if you get them started sideways, I know I did it!
Joe | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,771 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,771 | Wrap the Pitman arm splines with electrician's tape before you slide the seal over it. Even a tiny nick in the new seal surface will create a bigger leak than you had before.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 105 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 105 | All good tips, thanks guys. | | |
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