GMC Duramax power steering leak

[TJ1978]

The truck is leaking right where my c10 was, bottom of the pitman arm.

Im getting the seal kit from oreillys. I've read differing opinions on the need to remove the gear box to get the pitman arm off. Is it necessary?

 

[6872xtc]

It would depend on which puller you have. Matco has one that supposedly works with the box still bolted to the frame, but I have never tried it myself.

 

[ktmoutfront]

There is a cross member under the box. Might even make it hard to get to the seal.

 

[TJ1978]

I see they make low profile pitman arm puller but, it's pricey. I guess if mine doesn't have enough clearance I can use a hammer.

 

[Truckman4life]

I would just remove the box.

 

[Truckman4life]

I just got this low pro one from carquest for a '95 chevy 3/4 ton but there was no way it was gonna fit. Ended up replacing the steering gear anyways so it all got pulled.

If you have a torch you can heat the pitman arm and hit it with an air hammer to pop it off but I still dont think the seal would be possible.

 

[TJ1978]

I just got this low pro one from carquest for a '95 chevy 3/4 ton but there was no way it was gonna fit. Ended up replacing the steering gear anyways so it all got pulled.
View attachment 518249
If you have a torch you can heat the pitman arm and hit it with an air hammer to pop it off but I still dont think the seal would be possible.

I'll get under it tomorrow. I saw a video where a guy did not have to remove the box.

Is it difficult to remove? Remove, Power steering lines, steering column and the 3 bolts to the frame?

This is what I need to get.
Pitman arm seal

 

[Truckman4life]

Shouldn't be bad to pull. Might need to pull some skid plates and I bet the inner fender liner.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Inner fender is a must.

 

[6872xtc]

Screenshot of the low profile one that I have seen.
Sorry for not remembering how to post the link, but it's $262. Maybe if doing front end work weekly..
So it's much cheaper to drop the box off.

 

[Wes Harden]

You might be able to get box off frame and leave hoses connected. Youd still be doing seal on your back under a dripping box.

Personally I'd pull it and do the seal on the bench. Added bounus all that dirty ps fluid can be drained and new refilled.

 

[kennyw]

When I did my 2016 Duramax for tie rod ends, we left the hoses connected but unbolted it from the frame to rotate the box enough to use the puller. It worked well butwas not exactly easy.

In your case, you still need to bleed the system after you replace the seal. So I'm not sure you gain enough by leaving the box in the truck.

 

[TJ1978]

When I did my 2016 Duramax for tie rod ends, we left the hoses connected but unbolted it from the frame to rotate the box enough to use the puller. It worked well butwas not exactly easy.

In your case, you still need to bleed the system after you replace the seal. So I'm not sure you gain enough by leaving the box in the truck.

That make sense. I guess I'm pulling the box. So much fun...

What amount of time do you think about shop would charge for this?

 

[Truckman4life]

AllData shows like 2 hrs of labor for the flat rate on a pitman shaft seal. A good shop will go by flat rate. Lots will charge you what they end up having in it though so it could be 3 or 4 hrs if they're slow at it.