Replacing steering box?? Or what ?

[mountie]

2005 Yukon w/ 180,000…….While getting my engine oil changed, I saw fluid under the steering box…… it’s got a leak. >> I just replaced steering fluid in the reservoir .. it was a tad low, but not unusual. The fluid spot on my garage floor is small…. ( so far )

I will try to wipe off as much fluid as i can from the steering box and see how much accumulates after it was cleaned.
So,… since I TRUST my mechanic, what sort of cost it takes to R&R one…. Just a ballpark cost.
My mechanic said he just replaced one…..

 

[Scottydoggs]

last winter i paid like 400 or so for a new box installed, ( the part and labor) this shop i use has great rates, and they are literally across the st, drop it off and walk home. i did the rest of the front end and had already bought the new pitman arm they installed as well.

 

[Fless]

So,… since I TRUST my mechanic, what sort of cost it takes to R&R one…. Just a ballpark cost.
My mechanic said he just replaced one…..

Since you TRUST your mechanic, ask him what it would cost.

 

[mountie]

Since you TRUST your mechanic, ask him what it would cost.

I will ask… I was just thinking ahead…..
I want to replace the steering box & pitman arm…..
THE BEST POSSIBLE PARTS….. I don’t want to chase the problem again.

 

[tom3]

Might take a close look and make sure it's the box and not a hose or fitting. But it makes it some easier by replacing the pitman arm, those are a bear to get off.

 

[mountie]

1st photo showing fluid leak… It appears it’s coming from the cap….. at the forward side……. unable to see, but……fluid on the cross member below the box….. but not causing much of a ’spot’ on the floor…. no spot on the floor this morning.
2nd photo…..The fluid lines attached to the box are dry.
Maybe try to tighten the steering box cap?????
>>> Update……. I think, the oil on the lower half of the box in photo……. It may be from the leak, wicking upward from the bottom spline….. I reached down & felt the area below the top cap, in front and it seems dry.

 

[tom3]

There is a fluid for this that has some additives that stop the leaking, so they say. Might be worth a shot.

 

[strutaeng]

I once had seepage on my 99 Silverado rack and pinion, so I added some Lucas stop leak. This was like in 2011 and I didn't know better.

A few days later making a turn on a shopping center from the main street, the steering got locked after turning left. I couldn't recenter the steering wheel. It was crazy! I sat there for about 15 minutes, shutting and restarting the engine, until I finally got it working again. Luckily I wasn't far from home, and went straight back. I immediately called my mechanic and he told me to drive it over there. Leaving my home street, it happened again, but it wasn't as bad. In both cases, there was no traffic, but I could have had an accident.

The only thing I was able to conclude is the very high viscosity of the stop leak somehow caused some hydraulic line to temporarily clog. IDK. That was my original rack and my mechanic replaced it and never had that problem again.

This may not apply to the gearbox setup though (probably exclusive to rack and pinion systems), but just thought I would share my experience. That was my first and last time using stop leak. Lol

 

[Marky Dissod]

I want to replace the steering box & pitman arm.
THE BEST POSSIBLE PARTS. I don’t want to chase the problem again.

Back when I was a practicing LT1 B- & D- car enthusiast, THE source for high quality thoroughly rebuilt steering boxes was Lee Power Steering.
Since then I'm sure that other GM 12.7:1 steering box rebuilders have stepped into the game; please forgive me for not knowing their names ...

 

[norcalboon]

Just had the steering box replaced on my 2005 Yukon Xl 2500 6.0 by a transmission shop I trust and went with a new Genuine GM Steering Gear Box P/N 19434141 which was about $700 plus a couple hours of labor. Hose connection leaked after but after that was fixed it's been fine. Previously replaced the PS pump and when I upgraded the hydroboost. Also considered a Saginaw unit from Lee Power Steering.

 

[mountie]

Just had the steering box replaced on my 2005 Yukon Xl 2500 6.0 by a transmission shop I trust and went with a new Genuine GM Steering Gear Box P/N 19434141 which was about $700 plus a couple hours of labor. Hose connection leaked after but after that was fixed it's been fine. Previously replaced the PS pump and when I upgraded the hydroboost. Also considered a Saginaw unit from Lee Power Steering.

I saw the Saginaw / Lee Power Steering……. I’ll compare to a new GM….. $$$ I don’t care how much a GOOD one costs..

I just cleaned my steering box & area….. I’ll check to see how much it leaks & from where…..

 

[mountie]

My mechanic just called me……. My steering box is ordered : ‘ Plew & Edelmann Power Steering & Components ‘…...

Brand new / pre-tested ( test result sheet included )…. with upgrades to the GM flaws. Plus their ‘Elite’ high pressure hose & their Pitman arm.

A fabulous warranty. Gear box alone, about the same price as a new GM gearbox, but, THEY BUILT IT, not a GM affiliate.

About $900 parts / $400 install. I learned, the FEEL of the steering will be wonderful.

To be installed next Monday

 

[mountie]

Steering box is not a reman……. This is their test result sheet.

But not quite finished yet….. The pitman arm is limited how it attaches to the steering box shaft….. I am now researching how to ‘spot’ the steering wheel back to center….. I may just get another front end alignment to center it?

 

[Tonyrodz]

Steering box is not a reman……. This is their test result sheet.

But not quite finished yet….. The pitman arm is limited how it attaches to the steering box shaft….. I am now researching how to ‘spot’ the steering wheel back to center….. I may just get another front end alignment to center it?

I'd get the front end alignment once everything is finished. Just so you know everything is as it should be.

 

[Fless]

The person that does the alignment after the box is replaced should center the wheel. It's part of a correct alignment.

 

[mountie]

The person that does the alignment after the box is replaced should center the wheel. It's part of a correct alignment.

Yup….. calling my suspension guy tomorrow…. The trucks tracks perfectly….. I take my hands off the wheel and it stays straight…..
But alignment will be soon.

 

[Bigburb3500]

Yup….. calling my suspension guy tomorrow…. The trucks tracks perfectly….. I take my hands off the wheel and it stays straight…..
But alignment will be soon.

I know you follow some of my 1-ton issues and my steering box blew all its fluid on a trip recently. I paid $300 or so for labor, the mechanic felt bad for me and gave me a discount because the steering box was darn near unobtainium for my truck.
Alignment right after it and the truck it minty again! Enjoy!

 

[mountie]

My new steering box was $ 975.00 & pitman arm about $80.00 .. high pressure line $75.00…..

Labor $400.00……. My mechanic is a good guy…. fair price on his labor…..

I paid for ‘top dollar’ parts……. I love my Yukon !!

 

[mountie]

I finally took a freeway drive for about 50 miles…...
I had to ‘re-train’ my brain……. Driving at 75 to 80 mph, in the fast lane…..
I held the steering wheel as if I was parked…….
I held the steering wheel without any ‘micro- movements’ to stay straight in the lane…..
My ’05 Yukon steered PERFECTLY still & straight ahead….
A HUGE difference when the steering box is a new / handbuilt / “blueprinted” gear box. WOW !!
( I am getting the alignment to straighten the wheel tomorrow )

 

[rockola1971]

I sure hope the ball joints were inspected. Here is what typically happens. Ball joints wear excessively on a high mileage vehicle which cause tires to constantly be trying to move toe in and toe out just slightly up to alot depending on how bad the ball joints are. All this side to side motion causes the output shaft of the steering gearbox to wiggle side to side and ruin the seal at that output shaft and not to mention the gearbox. Its hard to find until you know to look for it. Have to get someone to move steering wheel just slightly to the right and left back and forth and watch that output shaft.