Archived need help with pitman seal removal

[Lair]

Was attempting to change the pitman seal and was following the directions it came with. It says to remove the pitman shaft retaining ring and backup washer. How do I do this? I already have the pitman arm off. I'm just confused as to what I should do to get the first seal out. This ring is about a half inch inside the steering box and seems difficult to get out. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[B.G. Smith]

The manual says after the shaft is out of the way to remove the seal with a seal pick?? The roller bearing in the housing makes it pretty tight to get to from the top side, I would try piercing a small hole in the seal from the bottom end with an awl and see if you can get a sheet metal screw into it enough to remove. bg

 

[Matt400]

With the wheels straight ahead you need to remove the shaft next by taking the top cover off the box.

Do NOT allow the steering wheel to turn with the shaft out



After that you should be able to get the snap ring, washer and seals out.

 

[Cummins360]

the real way to do it

Remove the snap ring from the pitman shaft, start the engine and turn the steering wheel all the way to the left or right, the hydraulic pressure will force the seals out for you. Only the stubborn ones need to be ice picked and pulled out with a sheet metal screw. Works for me evertime. The way I was taught as a kid !!



Good luck !!

 

[Lair]

Thanks for the replys. My problem is that I dont see or feel a snap ring. I just feel a seal or washer of some type.

 

[Matt400]

Cummins360- Thats a fast way for sure, no doubt it sprays some fluid but I like it!

 

[Lair]

So I have to pull the shaft from the steering box to be able to get to the seals or am I mistaken. And do I do this with the box still on the truck. Also, the snap ring is on the pitman shaft or in the box itself. I just wanted to get this done today since it is suppose to get cold again. thanks

 

[Matt400]

You can do it either way, Cummins360's way is faster.

All the boxes I have done were off the frame, on the bench for a complete reseal job.

His way allows for a pitman seal replacement on the truck. When the steering goes up against the steering stops the pressures will go way up. With the snap ring removed and nothing holding the seals in place they would blow out so have a pan under there.



You would then need to install the seals with the shaft in place and that may or may not be a deal to do, I never tried it that way. The snap ring is up against the seals you are wanting to replace, squeeze it in to get it out.

 

[Lair]

I finally finished. Everything makes sense now that I've done it. Thanks to you guys that helped out.

 

[jrobinson2]

The outside seal is only a dust seal, you need to remove it to get to the snap ring that holds the fluid seal in.

 

[Matt400]

I finally finished. Everything makes sense now that I've done it. Thanks to you guys that helped out.

Gald you got-r-done. Which way did you do it, and did you leave the shaft in the box?