A few more pic's from Day 2...

Pic 2 - while you're in the neighborhood, check the 2 smaller radatior hoses to the oil filter, mine's gettin' thin where they rest on the engine cross member.

Pic 3 is the crux move; balance the box in one hand while lining up the bolt in t'other; either a forearm building exercise or profanity prelim!

 

Wow, that steering box was an ambitious undertaking. Another great write-up and you got a spot in the Tech folder! Amazing, and tribute to all women.

 

Thanks Brent, it was a long week with that thing and the wheel bearings a few days later but as well worth the effort.

 

Just a BUMP for those of us who participated in the latest group buy. Mine should be here this weekend!

 

Just thought I would add the post numbers since this thread covers gas engines, differences in the install for diesels and another follow up post or two on things not covered in the original post (like pulling the pitman arm). Good luck everyone with your installs.

Gas Engines - post 1
Diesel Engine differences - post 17
Removing Pitman arm - post 28

 

Can't add to the rep., but had to try

 

Me too but she sure knocked it out of the park.

 

Sammie; careful with those tight fittings in the future, it's easy to round them off and then it's "break out the vice grips". They have fitting wrenches that grab more of the fitting and never round it off.

 

'
Well thanks anyway!

Ok Brent - I've slept since then and don't know what you mean. The bolts that screamed all the way out? If so - lesson learned! I have rounded off more nuts and bought more pairs of vice grips in the last year than I care to admit. I have like 6 different sizes of vice grips. Just ordered a set of SAE and Metric ratchet wrenches today - to hopefully get my exhaust heat shields off intact when I do the manifolds and exhaust here in a few weeks. But probably wishful thinking - sure I will be at the hardware store buying some new bolts/nut after I give up and hack them off with the cutting wheel.

 

Is this only for 4WD? Or is it the same for 2WD?

 

You know, when I rescued my Ex from the clutches of my sister-in-law, I had to replace the steering box just to get the truck off the side of their driveway. The output shaft from the gear box had sheared off just ahead of the pitman arm. Nobody at the stealership had ever seen that one before.

Had to replace gear box and pitman arm, because nobody could press the broken shaft piece out of the pitman arm.

Outstanding write-up, by the way.

 

Mine is a 4x4, and honestly never been under 2WD excursion so I'm not sure what the setup is with steering. 2WD guys - bump can anyone answer that question?

Thank you - it kind of got drug up from the recesses of a few months back because of the latest Redhead group buy. Was so glad to see that rusted hunk of dung off my truck!!! If I didn't have to send it back for my core refund I'd have used it for a boat anchor. Itching for this weather to break so I can start cutting my exhaust off.....you get your banks kit?

 

A wrench like this;

 

I've always referred to them as a flare nut wrench. I've never heard them called by that name. Gonna have to remember that one.

Stewart

 

Ordered two of these yesterday one Metric one SAE
6 Piece Ratcheting Flex Flare Nut Wrench Set - Metric