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how to remove a sector shaft?

sled_dog

sled_dog

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Alright I'm pulling apart a spare 4x4 steering box I have. I am gonna clean it up, drill and tap it then install a 2wd sector shaft. Now how do I remove the sector shaft? I have the top cover off and the shaft slides up and down but I can't figure exactly whats holding it. I know its likely me being brain dead.
 
Take the 4 bolts out of the aluminum top, and pull the whole works out. No trick to it. It should pull right out. Don't turn or remove the locking nut on top. You may need to turn the shaft to the center ( steering wheel straight)
 
If this is the first box you've taken apart, watch out for the ball /forums/images/graemlins/whistling.gifbearings.
 
Make sure the pitman arm (4wd) is 90 degrees from the frame. Or, the steering wheel must be straight and tires pointing straight ahead. Its gotta be dead straight or the shaft won't move.
 
What bearings are you speaking of? I figured this is something that can be done with the box on the truck. I don't want to lose my balls when I do this.
 
I pulled the shaft, was easy when I indexed it right. I didn't have any bearings fall around in there, so I have no idea.
 
Sorry about the confusion... /forums/images/graemlins/whistling.gif You won't find the balls just chaging the saft. The bearings I am speaking of are loose balls. You only find them if you take the box competely apart. There is a shaft inside the box that has a long spiral groove, the balls run in the groove. There is a cylinder that the afore mentioned shaft fits through( the cylinder has the teeth on it that the sector shaft engages) that also has the spiral. If you pull the box apart you will find them /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif
 
I may do that yet, if Autozone sells a rebuild kit and its not too much that is. and I just checked, its only $20 si I think I may just grab one of them. So expect a thread about what I should be expecting when I go to pull it all apart and do a rebuild. Good thing I have 2 extras /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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What bearings are you speaking of? I figured this is something that can be done with the box on the truck. I don't want to lose my balls when I do this.

[/ QUOTE ]

Matt, there are no bearings falling out of the sector shaft. Only when you pull the piston then the ball bearings fall out. Its the worm drive gear that the ball bearings ride in. They are what allow the worm gear to go in and out.

So, the sector shaft is safe and nothing else comes out, except for the power steering fluid itself. /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif
 
Thanx for the info guys, I was getting worried for a minute. (tearing the box apart is not nearly as hard as getting it back on the frame)
 
Will any Chevy sector shaft fit in any other box? I tried putting a shaft from a 2wd SAE box in to a metric 4wd box with no luck. Wouldn't drop the last 1/2". What was I doing wrong?
 
i cant explain why the shaft wouldnt drop in rest of way, maybe a ball fell out and into the way ? dunno

i always have great luck removing the shaft(i like to call it the pitman arm shaft actually) while the box is still on the rig, is real easy all have to do is pull off the pitman arm and rmeove the top cover and poof the shaft comes very easily rightout the top of the box with the top cover and all, dont even have to touch the adjuster nut and shaft screw or anything,

try and mark the position of the intermediate shaft by marking it and the box casting

good luck
 
one that i've noticed is that they have to come from the same year models. 81-91 will interchange 73-80 or where ever the break is between the o-ring and flared fittings also interchange with each other.

take a look at the shaft, make sure the gear up on top are identical.
 
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I may do that yet, if Autozone sells a rebuild kit and its not too much that is. and I just checked, its only $20 si I think I may just grab one of them. So expect a thread about what I should be expecting when I go to pull it all apart and do a rebuild. Good thing I have 2 extras /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
You should snap some pics while you rebuild it, and make us a nice tech article. /forums/images/graemlins/deal.gif
 
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