Trans Am PS Box

[TimG]

Is anyone familiar with the power steering box on a 1970 Trans Am and what may cause a severe leak from the shaft that comes from the box and attaches to the pitman arm? Over the weekend, power steering fluid started pouring out from the area around the shaft.
The leak isn't from the lines of power steering pump, it is definitely coming from the shaft. Any way to repair without pulling the box or does the box come out this weekend?
Being a Corvette guy, I know about their power steering system, but I don't know much about a Pontiac.

[PeteLeathersac]

Sounds like you need a pitman arm seal kit...common item to procure and easy to do as long as you have a pitman arm puller..

I think there was a thread on here about a year ago w/ links/pics when someone was having troubles doing theirs?.

~ Pete

[njsteve]

They are rather easy to do as long as you have the pitman arm puller. Remove the pitman arm, remove the large internal snap ring that holds the seal in place, then loosely reinstall the nut and washer (as a retaining device for the seal.) Then start the car for about a 2 seconds. The pressure will blow out the old seal (and most of the fluid if you dont shut the car off quick enough.) Very messy but far easier than completely removing and overhauling the entire box. This is how the regular line mechanics would do it in the old days. Then grease up the new seal, slide it in, tap it the rest of the way with the correct size large socket, reinstall the snap ring and pitman arm and you're done.

[TimG]

I can see exactly what you're talking about with the seal.
I have a puller and will remove the pitman arm this weekend.
I like the "blowing it off" idea. Couldn't be any more of a mess than it is now.

Thanks,

[PeteLeathersac]

Sometimes it's necessary to turn the steering wheel fully to one side until it squeals for the seals to blow out...have it almost turned all the way before firing up the engine..

~ Pete

[TimG]

The fluid is blowing out pretty severely, I'll fill it up give it a try this weekend. Does the pitman arm actually hold the seal in place? It seems as if there's a gap between the pitman arm and the seal.

[njsteve]

The snap ring is what holds the seal in place in addition to the press fit of the seal itself in the bore.

[TimG]

Guys, thank you for the advise. The pitman arm was a bear to get off, broke three pullers and finally rented a good one. The old seal came out just as pointed out above and the new seal went in with a socket and hammer. Tested it all last evening and it works great. The good news is that I never removed the box, it was all done in the car.

Thank you, again.

[tirebird]

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