Hey folks, I have some questions about replacing my Steering Housing..22RE 4WD

In the manual, on Step 3C it says to make match marks on the U joint and the shaft. But what if you're replacing the whole thing?
I'm assuming that you make the marks so that when you put it back together your steering wheel position will be the same as it was.
So do I just center the steering wheel as best as I can before I remove the gear and find center in the input shaft like this:
http://board.marlincrawler.com/index...ch=12195;image
Then when it comes time to attach to the U joint, in theory it should all line up?

Also, the replacement steering housing has the pitman arm installed on already. Do I need to remove that to install the housing? it
looks ok and I don't really want to mess with it plus it has a zerk fitting which the older one doesn't have.

And since I have your attention would an alignment be necessary after all this? I was planning to have it done after I put on new
shoes on her and lowering the torsion bars..

Thanks for taking the time to read and I appreciate the help!

 

The pitman arm should not have to be removed to change the steering box out.

Alignment should not be required after steering box replacement, but it might be advisable after torsion bar adjustment.

When I changed out steering boxes, I made the wheels and steering wheel as straight as I could, but I still ended up removing the steering wheel to make it true after all was said and done.

The horn button needed some attention anyway........

 

Mahalo MillBall! you are a gentleman and a scholar!