Really happy that these GMC Sierra 1500 repair tutorials are here, especially since I'm doing a full front suspension rebuild on my 1997 Chevy K1500, everything seems to be the same except the lower ball joints.
I just did mine. You dont need to pull the gear box. Jack the front end up. Loosen the driver side sway bar bushing on the frame. Remove the nuts off the pitman arm. Pull the ball joing end up and then with a pry bar pull the sway bar out of the way and fish out the pitman arm.
Thank you TRQ! I need to add that the young gentleman doing the work and narration does an excellent job at teaching those of us who want/need to know. I certainly appreciate his attention to detail, his light manner of delivery, and his obvious body of knowledge. I'm refurbishing practically all the bushings, the ball joints, the CV axles, the wheel hub bearings, idler bracket/idler arm, and pitman arm and TRQ's videos (along w/ "Suburban Ranch" videos, I must say) are an excellent resource. I'm old enough to remember life before the internet, going to the library to do research! I can't stand what social media has done to our society but find the web as somewhat of a Godsend for those of us that seek to us it as a learning tool.
I don't even own a chevy let alone a truck but you have gained a new subscriber today, short and to the point, I love it!!! No BS music in the background, explains everything he does, this is perfect, please don't ever stop!
Excellent Video. I really like your method of pulling the steering box a lot better than getting underneath and trying to work with an old rusty, stubborn pitman arm...which likely you have to cut off anyway. Also, in doing it your way, you get to inspect a lot more and likely with the mileages on these trucks you're going to end up pulling the steering box anyway.
Excellent videos Absolutely loved watching the entire video. My wife doesn’t get it, but it’s like an art form. Please continue the great content!!!!!!!
Thanks for the video. In order to separate the pitman/idler arm from the center link, do you have to disconnect the tie-rod ends from the steering knuckle?
Nicely done, question, at 6:08, what are those greasy shrouded 2 lines there? the transmission cooler lines? I have the same on a 94' Yukon but look like a major ordeal to replace those
After doing my pitman arm. Everything went back on the same way it came off. My steering wheel is turned to the left pretty bad. All I did was take off the old pitman arm. Unbolt the 3 bolts holding on the steering box and then throw the new outman arm in the same position as where the old on came off and now it’s all out of wack.
I live in the rust belt of northern Wisconsin. Everything up here built before 2010 is rusted to F. A simple pitman arm replacement could turn into an all day affair and an inflated repair bill really fast if one of those rusted lines breaks off at the flare nut.
i would say dont attempt without the airhammer picklefork , i beat on mine for 2 days before i borrowed one, then it still took a hour to work it out and had to cut it off the steering box
Please explain WHY did you remove the steering gearbox?....the Pitman arm's two nuts are easily accessible....i can take those two nuts off under the car and I have room to separate the two joints...and i'm done...ready for new Pitman arm install. What am i missing.
is your's 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive? I was reading that the cross member is in the way on the 4x4's. I have a 4x4 and I'm hoping I can do it without removing the gearbox. I'm not sure if I can. I just bought the truck yesterday
One part of the video when you're installing the arm, it looks like you left about half an inch to a quarter inch of spacing, from completely seating the arm. In the next clip on your video, the shaft appears to be fully seated with no spacing in between. Which one is correct? I do have trouble fully seating my steering arm onto the boxes shaft. And this is the 2nd moog branded arm that I've had to replace in the last 5 years. And 3rd moog branded pitman arm ive had to replace too.. Just making sure I'm not overlooking anything that's causing premature wear.. if you could get back to me, I'd appreciate it. Btw thanks for your video.
I guess I've never forced the Arm completely onto the shaft. got a small fear of possibly stripping the nut or shaft threads. I've never tried to hit it with my Milwaukee and make it fully seat. Today I'm working on my pick up in the same exact area, and I could use a little guidance in this spot.
Why would you need to change only a pitman arm? It's usually the whole steering box that needs changing. Can faulty pitman arm alone cause steering issues? In my case my steering is very sloppy. Thank you.
I bought a TRQ set for my truck, I'm trying to get the damn pitman are off with the pickle fork but it's not separating. Any tips or trick to get the old pitman arm off?
+Ericks Melendez Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1aau.to/m/Shop-TRQ
I am debating on doing mine I have a 98 and my pitman arm has a wobble at the spline on the stearing box. The pitman arm looks knewer to me. I'm told that it's common that the knew arm can be messed up and not seat right. Idk about thos but how long dose this job take and what causes this to happen if the arm is knewer
I suspect the spline on your gearbox is no longer in good condition. Likely have to replace the gearbox and the pitman arm. There are both 3 and 4 key splines available. Perhaps your pitman arm did not match the gear box spline. If they didn't, they would never go together properly.
I currently doing the work right now on a 2001 gmc. I found that you remove the 34mm while its still on the truck using the mm socket and a breaker arm. The only thing is that you do have to remove all the armor from just below the radiator and just behind the pitman/ idler arm.
I'm doing this on a 1999 C1500 everything is off so far, no power tools as well. Only issue is I can't get the pitman arm to go on as far as the original Got a axle nut kit from AutoZone for the 34mm and a pitman arm puller with a breaket, both are loaner tools
√ *Watch the Video*
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Really happy that these GMC Sierra 1500 repair tutorials are here, especially since I'm doing a full front suspension rebuild on my 1997 Chevy K1500, everything seems to be the same except the lower ball joints.
Agreeed bless the you tube gurus
I did the same thing on my 89’ had no idea what to do Really easy
I just did mine. You dont need to pull the gear box. Jack the front end up. Loosen the driver side sway bar bushing on the frame. Remove the nuts off the pitman arm. Pull the ball joing end up and then with a pry bar pull the sway bar out of the way and fish out the pitman arm.
Thank you TRQ! I need to add that the young gentleman doing the work and narration does an excellent job at teaching those of us who want/need to know. I certainly appreciate his attention to detail, his light manner of delivery, and his obvious body of knowledge. I'm refurbishing practically all the bushings, the ball joints, the CV axles, the wheel hub bearings, idler bracket/idler arm, and pitman arm and TRQ's videos (along w/ "Suburban Ranch" videos, I must say) are an excellent resource.
I'm old enough to remember life before the internet, going to the library to do research! I can't stand what social media has done to our society but find the web as somewhat of a Godsend for those of us that seek to us it as a learning tool.
I don't even own a chevy let alone a truck but you have gained a new subscriber today, short and to the point, I love it!!! No BS music in the background, explains everything he does, this is perfect, please don't ever stop!
Excellent Video.
I really like your method of pulling the steering box a lot better than getting underneath and trying to work with an old rusty, stubborn pitman arm...which likely you have to cut off anyway.
Also, in doing it your way, you get to inspect a lot more and likely with the mileages on these trucks you're going to end up pulling the steering box anyway.
Excellent videos
Absolutely loved watching the entire video. My wife doesn’t get it, but it’s like an art form. Please continue the great content!!!!!!!
That was a really good tutorial, glad I watched this first.
never seen or heard of anyone taking off the whole gearbox to do this job, just did one...took off exactly 2 nuts and the pitman arm comes off
Right? I've done them on big C 7500 trucks and everything else for 40 years without pulling a steering box.
Am I missing something?
I was thinking the same. And then remembered Eric the car guy also didn't remove the gear box when rebuilding his suspension
crossmember is in the way on these trucks look at 7:05.
Thank you for this comment looking at it i didn't i would have to remove everything
Ever done a 4x4? Cross member is in the way on my Suburban.
I’ve had the whole steering assembly on my Chevy c1500 and trust me they are strong and safe.. had them for 1yr now..
Great video! I have sloppy steering on a 1994 C1500, going to be replacing the gearbox and Pittman arm as we think thats where the problem is
+@daddydoc1115 Thanks for watching our video! 1aau.to/m/Shop-TRQ
Great video! And that grunt when the power steering line broke loose made me laugh haha. Too relatable
Great video. Just did a 94 Suburban and had to drop the gear box.
2:32
This is where a an induction gun comes in handy.
Yeah paying a mechanic great video saved me some stress
Thank you . I’m doing this on my 95 k1500 in the next few weeks . Great video .
Thanks for the video. In order to separate the pitman/idler arm from the center link, do you have to disconnect the tie-rod ends from the steering knuckle?
Nicely done, question, at 6:08, what are those greasy shrouded 2 lines there? the transmission cooler lines? I have the same on a 94' Yukon but look like a major ordeal to replace those
Thanks for a helpful video. Question: What type of threadlocker are you using on the various bolts?
Don't use red. That is overkill. Permatex Orange is suitable.
After doing my pitman arm. Everything went back on the same way it came off. My steering wheel is turned to the left pretty bad. All I did was take off the old pitman arm. Unbolt the 3 bolts holding on the steering box and then throw the new outman arm in the same position as where the old on came off and now it’s all out of wack.
Really good information, could you send information about vaccum hoses connection gmc 1500 photo
Appractiate the Torque of tightening. ;) great videos
Ain't no way in hell I'm going to even attempt to remove the power steering gearbox.
+Panther Platform Thanks for the feedback! 1aau.to/m/Shop-TRQ
I live in the rust belt of northern Wisconsin. Everything up here built before 2010 is rusted to F. A simple pitman arm replacement could turn into an all day affair and an inflated repair bill really fast if one of those rusted lines breaks off at the flare nut.
I'm gonna remove the steering gear box from my Kenworth the good thing about this is "I don't have to lift the truck.❤️
I love your videos but where are you guys at? The rust on all the cars you video is absolutely horrible. We just don't have that in Atlanta.
Having a hard time believing you clicked it that easy at 180ftlbs on the ground.
im having a hard time torquing that bolt on howd you do it so easily
The numbers u said to tighten them are they the same for 91 chevy c1500
Yes
Great video 👍
What pitman arm puller is that the ones at autozone are tiny
Great video very well detailed thanks for it
+Jose Alvarez Thanks for the feedback! 1aau.to/m/Shop-TRQ
Great video, thank you so much for your great step by step!
i would say dont attempt without the airhammer picklefork , i beat on mine for 2 days before i borrowed one, then it still took a hour to work it out and had to cut it off the steering box
Dam, I don’t know what was harder, that or delivering my child
i need to change my gearbox, how do i know if it is dead center before installing it?
"We're going to torque this down to manufacturer's specification. The torque specification is...YES" (PROCEEDS TO UGGADUGGA)
The complete kit from TRQ is great except for the lower ball joints. They do not fit
Please explain WHY did you remove the steering gearbox?....the Pitman arm's two nuts are easily accessible....i can take those two nuts off under the car and I have room to separate the two joints...and i'm done...ready for new Pitman arm install. What am i missing.
is your's 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive? I was reading that the cross member is in the way on the 4x4's. I have a 4x4 and I'm hoping I can do it without removing the gearbox. I'm not sure if I can. I just bought the truck yesterday
Bought the kit , got it all on except the pitman arm. I’m trying like hell to not remove the power steering pump. I’ll leave method if I can get it
Any updates?
Physically impossible to do that
cant see why you would even want to remove the power steering pump.. not needed
When you tightened that second power steering pump line you didn't say "click" that means its not within torque spec :)
What size pitman arm puller? Rock Auto has a few different sizes..
Harbor freight Maddox has a tool set that is 89$ everything you will ever need for front end work on GM
So, do I need to seat the arm completely down onto the shaft when installed? Or is it proper to have about 1/2" of spacing on the shaft?
One part of the video when you're installing the arm, it looks like you left about half an inch to a quarter inch of spacing, from completely seating the arm. In the next clip on your video, the shaft appears to be fully seated with no spacing in between. Which one is correct? I do have trouble fully seating my steering arm onto the boxes shaft. And this is the 2nd moog branded arm that I've had to replace in the last 5 years. And 3rd moog branded pitman arm ive had to replace too.. Just making sure I'm not overlooking anything that's causing premature wear.. if you could get back to me, I'd appreciate it. Btw thanks for your video.
I guess I've never forced the Arm completely onto the shaft. got a small fear of possibly stripping the nut or shaft threads. I've never tried to hit it with my Milwaukee and make it fully seat. Today I'm working on my pick up in the same exact area, and I could use a little guidance in this spot.
Why would you need to change only a pitman arm? It's usually the whole steering box that needs changing. Can faulty pitman arm alone cause steering issues? In my case my steering is very sloppy. Thank you.
No need to change gear box. If the pitman arm is sloppy the steering will be loose and wander. Same with worn tie rod ends, idler arm and ball joints.
Thank you awesome video now i could do mine
+Ericks Melendez Thanks for checking us out!
When you did yours Did your pitman arm go completely down when u replaced it? Mine is not going completely down.
Thank you for your video.
+Vincent N Thanks for watching our video! 1aau.to/m/Shop-TRQ
I bought a TRQ set for my truck, I'm trying to get the damn pitman are off with the pickle fork but it's not separating. Any tips or trick to get the old pitman arm off?
Heat it up and wack it of
Are we still talking about a Pitman arm?
Why is he pulling the steering box if the title is idler arm replacement 😭😂
Thank you awesome video
+Ericks Melendez Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1aau.to/m/Shop-TRQ
I am debating on doing mine I have a 98 and my pitman arm has a wobble at the spline on the stearing box. The pitman arm looks knewer to me. I'm told that it's common that the knew arm can be messed up and not seat right. Idk about thos but how long dose this job take and what causes this to happen if the arm is knewer
+Jesse Rousseau Thanks for watching our video! 1aau.to/m/Shop-TRQ
I suspect the spline on your gearbox is no longer in good condition. Likely have to replace the gearbox and the pitman arm. There are both 3 and 4 key splines available. Perhaps your pitman arm did not match the gear box spline. If they didn't, they would never go together properly.
What can I do if my torque wrench goes only up to 150 ft lb. And the pitman arm needs to tighten to 185 ft lb ?????
Put your big boy pants on with a straight bar and tighten it down buddy. lol what else can you do
Urgadurga !! 💪💪💪
Good job 👍
Outstanding!
Woah wait a min, what the heck did he use on that pickle fork.. i always have to hammer the damn thing
Vehricle?
I did exactly what you did and now my power steering won’t work
Veericle
Underrated comment
Rip headphone users lol
Is this possible to do this without any power tools?
I currently doing the work right now on a 2001 gmc. I found that you remove the 34mm while its still on the truck using the mm socket and a breaker arm. The only thing is that you do have to remove all the armor from just below the radiator and just behind the pitman/ idler arm.
I'm doing this on a 1999 C1500 everything is off so far, no power tools as well. Only issue is I can't get the pitman arm to go on as far as the original
Got a axle nut kit from AutoZone for the 34mm and a pitman arm puller with a breaket, both are loaner tools
Looks like a pain in the ass
Not really you can remove it in about 15 minutes and put it back in 45min