Removing My Power Steering Gear Box and Pitman Arm from the Duramax!

Today I am going to be removing the power steering gear from my Duramax. This process should work on most cars and trucks equipped with this old style of steering box, but you may want to check for minor differences in hardware etc. I will also be removing the pitman arm from the drag link and steering gearbox and the intermediate shaft found on most late model trucks.
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🔧Special Tools needed for this job 🔧
- 11 mm wrench/socket for removing the intercooler piping and lower intermediate shaft bolt
- 15mm wrench/ socket for removing the upper intermediate shaft bolt
- 18 mm wrench (flare wrench is ideal, but I used a regular one) for the power steering lines
- 21mm socket for removing the pitman arm nut and the 3 steering gear mounting bolts
- 22mm socket for removing the wheel locknuts
- An adjustable wrench for the large pitman arm nut. (the sizes of this vary depending on the year and model of the vehicle, but mine was 1 5/16 or 33mm)
- A pickle fork for removing the pitman arm from the drag link (I also had to use a torch to help loosen it up): amzn.to/3hmheUh
- A Pitman arm puller: amzn.to/39gOiKv
- A good sledgehammer
- A ton of elbow grease!
Disclaimer
I am an Amazon Associate and I receive a small commission if you choose to purchase tools or parts through my links. They don't cost you any extra and it helps us to continue creating more fun videos like this one.
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Our videos are for entertainment purposes and if you came for expert automotive advice, I am sorry 😅 because I am definitely not an expert. These videos are about our lives and our current Daily Drifter Builds.
We like to show the struggles that most channels try to make look easier than they are. We build our cars inside my garage with the limited tools we have available. I hope you still find my failures entertaining and have a great day!
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[@selcosucks]

I think I’m just gonna keep adding fluid after this video

[@andrewkitchens3917]

Unless you like mine where it pissed out the whole reservoir in one 20 minute drive 😔

[@Abel3270]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@marcbenedict3676]

Haha im adding fluid about once a week

[@baadkittymeow1306]

That’ll work until your hydroboost runs dry to many times and takes it out also taking out your braking power

[@BoostedFA]

​@@andrewkitchens3917mines doing that now.

[@MrStaybrown]

Thank you. I just started this and decided to look it up before I got too far. I appreciate it.

[@michaelmaxon2931]

Thanks for getting to the point and actually showing what actually needed to be done. I think I watched the same videos you mentioned that were dumb and they didn't show anything you need to know. Keep doing what you're doing!!

[@johndoee5620]

Great video man definitely got my subscription

[@fbh31118]

Thanks for sharing! Good practical information on a cruddy job.

[@johnnybear111]

Great video from one grinder to another

[@ajaygates5066]

Very good presentation.. Good for the amateur mechanic,Thanks

[@warrior59paul11]

Thank you, and God bless your efforts Sir!

[@smittys19daytona]

very clear instruction thanks

[@iantully2248]

Awsome video and VERY helpful and informative lesson on how to do this job safely. I'll be doing same job in a few days and this video made my day. Thank YOU for taking the time to help guys like me. I live on a remote island and getting to a fix it shop in a timely manner is not possible.

[@cybermavrik]

Excellent work producing this video. This job is actually a lot easier than I thought it would be

[@andrewkitchens3917]

Thanks for the video. This is what I used as a guide to do mine!

[@TheDailyDrift]

Anytime, glad to help

[@northfloridafungi9336]

Great video man, I have an entirely different vehicle and this video helped me replace my steering gear box 😊

[@DormantIdeasNIQ]

You're a gent! To the point, no BS, well done... liked and subscribed AND YOU PROVIDE A DETAILED LIST of tools needed in the description! Thank you! I got the very same job on a 2011 express 4500 minibus(built on a cutaway van frame) I knew this was not something to tackle willy nilly... even on the Silverado where one can get to the engine much more easily than on a cutaway van, it's a nightmare of taking all sorts of crap apart before being able to get to it! It's like trying to get to the glow plugs... horrendous! Out of the corner of my eye in the thumbnail list I see: Silverado Install Gear Box, Pitman Arm and idler bracket.... wooooooooooo! there I go!

[@dougboulet9814]

Very helpful!!!

[@josealeman9340]

Excellent video and straight to the point, I need to do mine on. chevy 3500 Duramax

[@paintslayer1995]

How did it go I’m looking to do mine as well

[@wesleymadsen4357]

You'll get that on those big jobs

[@kyletracey5819]

Have to pull mine. Ugg. Nothing worse then having to work on the ground and smashing hands !! Thanks for the post. Now we have to work out ? Lol

[@fredstrine916]

Good job buddy

[@rafaellara4122]

Good work bud

[@nerdsofthefist]

The rut is real. The rut is real.

[@Blazerfb]

Great Video! Helped me brush up on this job. On my 3rd box now and I can tell you this: you don’t have to to take off the intercooler pipe but you DAMN sure want to!!!! Also, USE OEM OR BETTER PARTS! Do not cheap out on these parts. My second box was a rebuilt piece and almost cost me my life.

[@clay1671]

Great video awesome listing all the tools needed for the job did you rebuild that box or replace it if replaced what brand did you go with I'm hearing a lot of bad about using reman steering boxes

[@robertpaul3675]

Is it better to use atf for a box or ps fluid?

[@BoostedFA]

Taking the intercooler piping snd jacking the truck up are pro tips. They definitely will save you time. I changed the pump without taking the pipe off this time and I was cursing. So much easier to do the job with it off. Edit: you definitely gashed your hand good.

[@LordsOfLag]

Ended up leaving the top portion of the shaft in the truck and everything else went to plan pretty easily

[@a.caballero9514]

Good video, thanks. Just looking at the nice garage floor and I nearly had a stroke.

[@feliciano3076]

Just did this on my truck and I also had to use your method of torch and hammer haha great video though very informational

[@TheDailyDrift]

feliciano3076 thanks, yeah you just can’t beat a little heat 😅

[@MoneyManHolmes]

Looks like a big pain... is there a way to get that pitman arm away from the frame and more accessible for the puller with it still in the truck? Can you twist it enough if you remove the 3 mounting bolts?

[@SuperRamon77777]

Thank you for video... Trying to replace my gearbox, 92 K3500 dually, Salem Oregon ✌️⚽🤟

[@middleroad00]

Thanks good video, and you are correct, that was informative and gives me a very good idea of what's ahead. As @Kyle Tracey states "UGGGGGH!" Hope that your hand healed properly.

[@857547020]

All right guys a buddy of my replace my gearbox on a 2500 Silverado HD 6.0 engine and even though it's not leaking power steering fluid anymore just steering wheel feels a little bit well not a little bit but a whole lot stiff and not responsive like if I want to go left and right I have to do a lot of force back and forth you know either left or right if I go left and then the road goes straight to steering wheel doesn't correct itself any advice what's going on maybe air in the system

[@alexiswestwood809]

What is the second arm that you remove from the gear box called? (The one with the 11mm bolt) and is it the one that come straight from the steering column? I need to replace the seal on that arm in my truck and I'm trying to figure out what it is called. Also I really appreciate that you show all of the really pain in the ass parts of working on old trucks like all the shit stuck on by corrosion and the pesty bolts. Everyone else always glazes over that stuff when it ends up being the hardest part so thank you.

[@deanwlkr]

The steering shaft?

[@jason6325]

Little tip A wiz / cutting wheel Cut 3/4 way thru that pitman arm. Then it will come right off. I know this because i fought one for 3 hrs and said the hell with this. And cut off. Then cussed myself for not doing that 1st

[@MrJdez09]

Doing this now bro haha thanks for the video help

[@TheDailyDrift]

Haha you have a duramax now? That’s awesome

[@uksam2000]

Good video, surprised you don't have more subscribers. When do we get to see how the built Miata is getting on?

[@TheDailyDrift]

uksam2000 thanks I really appreciate it, I’m actually rendering a video all about the Miata right now. It should be out a little later today ✌️

[@uksam2000]

@@TheDailyDrift awesome, look forward to it. Keep up the good work.

[@dustinrueb4935]

Do you have a follow up of putting it back together?

[@JORDANJUNCTION1969]

Had the job done. Wheel is 45 degrees off. Mechanic claims alignment will fix it. Doesn't that had to be lined up just right (shaft to box) or is it error proof? Thx

[@TheDailyDrift]

The Pittman arm is keyed so it can go on one way, but if the box turns at all while it’s off the vehicle it may cause the wheel to be off. If it is off, most alignment shops will straighten it out when they do the alignment. It’s usually a good idea to get an alignment when the suspension is worked on like this anyway. Hope this helps clarify things a bit.

[@tuloko16]

@@TheDailyDrift did you end up replacing the unit, or rebuilding/re sealing it?

[@NDProps]

there are seals in there you can melt so be very careful.

[@kgardner004]

And it helps if you use the right tools you should have used a flare wrench it won't slip

[@PulpoPromotions]

Did you do a part two to this video?

[@TheDailyDrift]

So unfortunately I did film it, but my microphone burnt out on me and all the audio was scratched. I tried recovering it and fixing it, but it was unwatchable. Install is pretty much the reverse of removal, but the important thing is to make sure your wheel doesn’t turn when you install it back in. I used a bar through it to hold it in place. Outside of that, it’s pretty straight forward. Oh yeah and bleed the lines too.

[@MoneyManHolmes]

Are the lines self bleeding on these? Just turn the wheel back and forth several times?

[@jason6325]

What's the reason you changed your gear box?

[@TheDailyDrift]

Mine was leaking really bad and was loose internally.

[@beeleif9824]

praying this works wish me luck

[@TheDailyDrift]

bee leif good luck!

[@edkay3601]

to get a stubborn pitman arm out drill 3, 1/4 inch holes vertically in it and hit the center of the holes with a chisel and hammer. The arm will split and then its history!

[@hungryhungryhummer]

Just did this on my hummer h2 and I have to say if I had to do it again, I would not do it again. Take it to someone with a lift and let them break their fingers when that steering box falls out.

[@laxtonhardin9041]

Tap on a clip to paste it in the text box.

[@Cameleon_1258]

Did you end up going back with a stock or aftermarket gear box?

[@TheDailyDrift]

I ended up getting a rebuilt box because I just didn't have the time to rebuild it myself.

[@IMADALBASRII]

Good job but you should keep garage clean and your hands Plus check part before open

[@edwarddeleon431]

Brand new to Diesels and i did this so anyone can i just coudnt think of a repair bill 😂

[@grantgrow]

It's like your truck gave birth

[@danielholtzapple7124]

Get rid of that mushroomed end or the hole fork. When you smack on that metal flies off you don't see and metal splinters .

[@jeffreeder8274]

Where's the installation video.?

[@TheDailyDrift]

Unfortunately the audio from the install got completely destroyed. My microphone I was using gave out on me during the shoot. I was unable to salvage it, sorry about that.

[@matthewsalvador9783]

Being lazy is a lot of hard work and lots of frustration....

[@KP-sg9fm]

9:11 *lewd shaft noises*

[@a.caballero9514]

right at 9:00

[@jboblongway252]

That's alot of tape for a paper cut🤣🤣

[@rickiebennett-sb9oh]

Honey , sit in there and turn the steering wheel a few times.

[@Reallionaire314]

Bro, you need to invest into aome quality tools. You working too hard with those wrenches when you coulda used an socket and ratchet or impact wrench

[@shanedunaway6909]

Good instruction brother but it was still a crappy job. Done is done tho

[@jzac89]

Think smarter, not harder... Get an impact wrench

[@chrisheffernan6600]

Duramax is not a vehicle brand, it is a diesel engine, nothing more, nothing less. You would get better hits if you labeled it GMC Sierra or Chevrolet Silverado. The engine states nothing.

[@gottabsleeved]

Put some gloves on,wheres part 2 to finish job?

[@Rawlow21]

😅

[@ernief1879]

Ouch! Wear gloves next time :D