Steering box replacement

[MichaelTalbot]

Hey all,
quick low down, the truck is a ‘93 w250 with 376k miles on it. I’ve replaced several bolt on parts myself with success(lift pump, water pump, alternator, deleted rwalbs, shocks,..) you get the picture.

I’m not super familiar with all of the ways things are put together and am running into trouble removing the steering gear box. My immediate problem is finding a wrench that will fit the nut on the Pittman arm where it connects to the Pittman shaft. It seems to be a 1 3/8” nut and I can’t find a wrench anywhere around here. Would you use an adjustable wrench? I’m hesitant to. Also, do I need a special tool for removing the arm from the shaft? I have no access to air tools.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated, I’m doing my best to keep this truck on the road.

 

[BigPapa]

A socket and breaker bar are going to be your best bet on the nut. Yes, you'll need a pitman arm puller. Lowes, Harbor Freight, etc on the socket and breaker bar. Probably somewhere like O'Reilly's for the puller.

 

[MichaelTalbot]

A socket and breaker bar are going to be your best bet on the nut. Yes, you'll need a pitman arm puller. Lowes, Harbor Freight, etc on the socket and breaker bar. Probably somewhere like O'Reilly's for the puller.

Thanks BigPapa, I tried a socket but there isn’t enough room to get a ratchet on it. Do they make extra shallow sockets?

 

[BigPapa]

Sorry, I’m a 2nd Gen guy. Does yours look like this?

Can you take the tie-rod end off the pitman arm and remove the pitman arm on the bench?

 

[MichaelTalbot]

Sorry, I’m a 2nd Gen guy. Does yours look like this?

View attachment 135792
Can you take the tie-rod end off the pitman arm and remove the pitman arm on the bench?

Hey man, just getting back to you, yeah it’s pretty much the same on my first gen. I got the Pittman puller from O’Reilly’s, I’ll pull the arm after getting the box off the truck. Good idea.
My trouble now is I can’t get the bolts holding the steering box reinforcement plate to budge. There’s only room for a 20” breaker bar under there.

 

[Deathrowdave]

I swapped my box to early pre 79 style reverse steering box while I was changing steering boxes . Early style is much better design , much less stress on the frame also .

 

[Simplysmn]

bluetop steering gear better then Redhead IMO