OL' YELLA

i have a 88 pickup that has been leaking power steering fluid from the steering gear box so i am going to start a swap from a 86 parts truck is their any thing i should know before i start the swap so as not to mess anything up like steering wheel position does it need to be locked in place or any thing .any advice would be great thanks

xxxtreme22r

yeah your probably gonna need a really good puller if you are not swapping the pitman arm as well.

OL' YELLA

im swaping the pitman arm and the box as one unit

sethb

I literally just did this a couple weeks ago. I blew out the seals on the gear when I was out wheeling in Ocotillo Wells. 1) swapping with the pitman is the best way to go but you're still gunna need a pickle fork. 2) make sure your steering wheel is locked dead center. 3) keep a close eye on that cotter pin on the pitman arm or you'll have a heck of a time finding the thing. 4) make sure you have some new power steering fluid on hand. I forgot about that initially and had to run to autozone in the middle of everything. 5) pneumatic tools make it a whole lot easier. You can try with regular wrenches but you'll probably end up busting a knuckle. oh yeah, also make sure you've got some line wrenches, you don't want to strip any of the lines on the gearbox.

That's about all I can think of. It's super simple. Good luck and happy wrenching!

myyota

Just remember that our trucks use transmission fluid in the power steering system. DO NOT use power steering fluid it will cause the power steering to start leaking.

camo31_10.50

good point there MyYota!!!! (even says so on the power steering reservoir i believe..)

cotter pins are easy to find if you break yours or lose them.

pneumatic tools always make EVERYTHING easier

sethb

Don't quote me on this, but I swear the lid on my reservoir says DOT3... or maybe I'm imagining it because I really hate being wrong... If that's the case, well then... looks like I've got a power steering flush in my near future... Guess that's what I get for a lack of attention to detail...

myyota

No, your truck uses ATF DEXRON ll, that`s what the FSM says.

sethb

Well, looks like I've got some work to do when I get off duty tomorrow. I should probably download that FSM. Guess you learn something new every day.

yotaconvert

My dad has a 94 tercel for his puddle jumper and his power-steering even says dex 3 transmission fluid only just wish i knew that about my 4runner before i topped off all my fluids when i got it

cr@ves4wheelin

Nevermind, just been doing stupid things like refilling power steering pump with not ATF. Probably why my steering box leaks a little bit...