Steering Box R&R

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websurfer - 27 Jan 2007 08:02 GMT

Hi Guys,

How tough is it to replace the steering box on a '95 F-250 PSD 4x4
w/power steering? Ford wants $500 parts & labor. I found a box (rebuilt)
for $159... problem is I don't have a garage, and it's like 20 degrees
outside... How long should it take to remove and replace? Any special
tricks I'll need to know? Any special tools required?

TIA,

Websurfer

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Ford Tech - 27 Jan 2007 13:53 GMT

How long should it take to remove and replace?

> Websurfer

Forgot to add, it will probably take about 2hrs if you havent done it
before. Make sure you have a good tech manual.

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dzlman95 - 28 Jan 2007 06:48 GMT

Thanks to ALL for the feedback... it's appreciated.

Websurfer

> How long should it take to remove and replace?
>> Websurfer
>
> Forgot to add, it will probably take about 2hrs if you havent done it
> before. Make sure you have a good tech manual.

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Ford Tech - 27 Jan 2007 13:53 GMT

> Hi Guys,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Websurfer

No special tools really. You said power steering, are we talkin hydroboost
brakes, or vacuum assisted? If it is HydroBoost then it will take longer to
bleed the system of air, due to the increased size of the system AND the use
of an accumulator in the hydroboost system.You will need to pump the brakes
a couple of times and make sure you have brake pressure.

Make sure you have about a quart of Mercon ATF available to refill system.
Hey now is a good time to do a p/s fluid change.. LOL

Make sure you have atleast a 1/2" break over bar to contend with the
box-frame mounting bolts. They are goin to be TIGHT. You might want to put
another "donut" (that flexible ring) in the steering column shaft, if its
OEM they tend to get tore up during removal. Only thing other than that is
the Pitman arm. There is a special spreader to "aid" in the removal of the
pitman arm, and it can be rented at pretty much any parts store. If you dont
want to do that, a pry bar MIGHT work sufficiently.

Ford Tech

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David M - 27 Jan 2007 17:43 GMT

> Only thing other than that is
> the Pitman arm. There is a special spreader to "aid" in the removal of the
> pitman arm, and it can be rented at pretty much any parts store. If you dont
> want to do that, a pry bar MIGHT work sufficiently.
>
> Ford Tech

FT, you *should* know better, but I guess you don't.

OP:
DON'T use a pry bar. Use the correct tool to avoid damaging the Pitman
arm. It's called a 'puller', not a spreader, and it can be rented for
free at Autozone.

http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/pullers_specialized/pitman_arm.htm

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David M (dmacchiarolo)
http://home.triad.rr.com/redsled
T/S 53
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Steve Barker - 27 Jan 2007 18:00 GMT

And here's the SAFE one. Those other cheap MF's will fly apart and who
knows where the pieces are going.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000AP05GE/nextag-tools-20/ref=nosim

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Steve Barker

>> Only thing other than that is
>> the Pitman arm. There is a special spreader to "aid" in the removal of
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/pullers_specialized/pitman_arm.htm

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David M - 27 Jan 2007 18:12 GMT

> And here's the SAFE one. Those other cheap MF's will fly apart and who
> knows where the pieces are going.
>
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000AP05GE/nextag-tools-20/ref=nosim

Yeah, that one does look a little more substantial than the one from
Autocrapola.

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David M (dmacchiarolo)
http://home.triad.rr.com/redsled
T/S 53
sled351 Linux 2.4.18-14 has been up 16 days 8:08

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Ford Tech - 28 Jan 2007 02:58 GMT

>> Only thing other than that is
>> the Pitman arm. There is a special spreader to "aid" in the removal of
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> FT, you *should* know better, but I guess you don't.

That would be why I added the word MIGHT. Also a twin jaw gear puller would
also be able to do the job.

Not everyone is going to have all of the correct tools on hand, or the
ability to obtain them. So I offer acceptable alternatives, and if the pry
bar is used to pry against the pitman arm right around the shaft, working
from side to side, it will not damage the pitman arm. Yes there was a point
in time when I didn't have all of the correct tools on hand, and in a pinch,
I used the pry bar. I didnt have any problems with the vehicle afterwards.

> OP:
> DON'T use a pry bar. Use the correct tool to avoid damaging the Pitman
> arm. It's called a 'puller', not a spreader, and it can be rented for
> free at Autozone.

Sorry about the misuse of my terminology about the "puller" vs "spreader".

I would go for the puller in the link below, as the one listed on the
amazon.com site is listed as a *small car* pitman arm puller not rated for
light trucks. Also, you can *rent* tools from autozone, which means they are
a decent quality of tools. Otherwise everytime they rented one of these out,
it would probably break.

> http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/pullers_specialized/pitman_arm.htm

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Steve Barker - 28 Jan 2007 03:15 GMT

There is NO WAY a pry bar could remove a properly tightened pitman arm. And
if you try, you'll most likely damage the gear box if you're planning to
re-use it.

Signature

Steve Barker

> That would be why I added the word MIGHT. Also a twin jaw gear puller
> would also be able to do the job.
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
>> http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/pullers_specialized/pitman_arm.htm

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Ford Tech - 28 Jan 2007 03:38 GMT

> There is NO WAY a pry bar could remove a properly tightened pitman arm.
> And if you try, you'll most likely damage the gear box if you're planning
> to re-use it.

It was my understanding that according to the OP that he is replacing the
gear box as it has failed in some manner, so damaging the gear box would not
be an issue.

>> That would be why I added the word MIGHT. Also a twin jaw gear puller
>> would also be able to do the job.
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>>
>>> http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/pullers_specialized/pitman_arm.htm

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