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steering box cap removal

M

Mudstud

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OK I have done this a few times before but this one is kicken my ars. I'm talking bout the round cap on the end of the box. It has the round snap ring that fits in the groove like a front bearing hub lock ring. I have tried to get behind it and pull it forward but it just refuses to move. I've wire brushed it to death and lubed it too. WTF am I missing here? The others were easy to do.
 
There is a hole (prolly covered in grease) somewhere around the outside of the box. stick a small screwdriver or other pointy implement into the hole and push the snap ring out from behind. Then you can get a screwdriver under it from the front and work it out as usual. I'll look for a pic....

Edit: Pic

If that doesn't do it, try rotating the input. I don't recall which direction, but you want to move the piston back inside the box in case it is applying pressure to the cap. With the pressure off it should be easier.
 
Thanks man, I saw a hole but it looked like it was soldered shut or something. Will try when I get home.
 
Bump for good tech 'cause that ring is kicking my butt! :doah:

I'll be looking for the hole tomorrow night. :thumb: (insert joke /innuendo of choice here)
 
If yall didn't find the hole, and the box is still installed, the hole should be on the top of the box, looking down into the engine bay.

Just looked at the original post date... Haha, well I hope this helps you John.
 
Scratched my head for hours trying to figure out how to get that damn snap ring out the first time. Even saw the hole in the service manual but couldn't see it on the box under all the years of caked on crap until I just started poking randomly around the outside lip. :doah:
 
I just did this to install a diy4x hydro cap and I was able to get the snap ring out with some screwdrivers but the cap itself was a major pain. I didn't know about the turning left trick though. Good to know for the future.
 
So how did you get the cap out? I've heard of people drilling a hole and using a slide hammer but I'd rather not drill into it.
 
Once you get the ring out, just rotate the piston toward the cap and it should push it out. Easy once you get the ring out. Mine was almost molded to the case.
 
jekquistk5 said:
Once you get the ring out, just rotate the piston toward the cap and it should push it out. Easy once you get the ring out. Mine was almost molded to the case.
Click to expand...

If you go just a small taste too far you will drop ALL of the circulating balls from the rack nut and then you'll be tearing the whole box apart.
 
nvrenuf said:
So how did you get the cap out? I've heard of people drilling a hole and using a slide hammer but I'd rather not drill into it.
Click to expand...

IMAG0628.jpg
 
Ah, looks like the ultra scientific grinder/BFH methed. :haha:

Edit: I never would have guessed the cap was that thick.
 
4X4HIGH said:
If you go just a small taste too far you will drop ALL of the circulating balls from the rack nut and then you'll be tearing the whole box apart.
Click to expand...

Yah, I had mine on the bench so just a little turn. That freed it up enough for picks and screwdrivers. I can see this going real bad if you try that in the rig.
 
Mine was caked in there pretty good too, after getting the snap ring out I ended up heating it with a propane torch then beating it with the BFH. It eventually just popped out.
 
I don't know if it was smart, but I just started the truck and turned the wheel back and forth a little. The pressure from the pump popped it right out.:dunno: (taped a trash bag over the end of the box to catch the spilled fluid)
 
nvrenuf said:
Ah, looks like the ultra scientific grinder/BFH methed. :haha:

Edit: I never would have guessed the cap was that thick.
Click to expand...

Me either, I was blown away when I broke down and resorted to the destruction method of removal. It's thick enough I'm not sure why guys don't just tap the stock one and drill a little hole part way in it to hold while you tighten the fitting.
 
Avery4jc said:
Me either, I was blown away when I broke down and resorted to the destruction method of removal. It's thick enough I'm not sure why guys don't just tap the stock one and drill a little hole part way in it to hold while you tighten the fitting.
Click to expand...

I thought the same way until mine cracked and spewed all of the fluid out running the mud bog at the county fair. I even had JB welded a large fender washer to the outside for more support. Was it a fluke? Maybe, but several people on the internet have supposedly had the same type of issue with the stop cap cracking after drilling and tapping.

FYI, never had an issue getting the fitting tight after the cap was installed with either the stock or aftermarket (DIY4x cap). The NPT fitting doesn't really need to get that tight and the cap sits in the box plenty tight to keep it from spinning.
 
Did you all reuse the retainer ring for the cap, or did you find a new one somewhere?
Mine got mangled trying to get it out.
 
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