Update on the steering gear:

Kinja'd!!! "Tristan" (casselts)
05/28/2019 at 18:33 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!1 Kinja'd!!! 8
Kinja'd!!!

I’m still getting tips on possible ways to remove this blasted snap ring. Several good ones, but that bugger ain’t coming out with anything less than a cutoff wheel.

I’ve solved the issue for now, though, and my typical cheapassery won out. Pick-N-Pull had an identical (aside from being 2wd) 2001 Suburban 2500 on the lot with a bone-dry steering gear. I nabbed it and slapped it on my truck. About 100 miles later it’s still not leaky or sloppy. It was junkyard-expensive at $50, but still way cheaper than a re-man.

Interesting fact: The 2wd 2500s have a sector shaft with 3 master splines, while the 4wds have 4 master splines. My 4wd had 3, so it would appear the gearbox and pitman arm are not original.


DISCUSSION (8)


Kinja'd!!! lone_liberal > Tristan
05/28/2019 at 18:45

Kinja'd!!!0

Sounds like a perfectly valid fix to me, but that’s coming from a man who replaced an entire door for a Windstar with a junkyard part rather than try to fix the power window motor.


Kinja'd!!! Tristan > lone_liberal
05/28/2019 at 18:46

Kinja'd!!!0

I replaced a window in a Windstar once. You made the right choice.


Kinja'd!!! RacinBob > Tristan
05/28/2019 at 18:47

Kinja'd!!!3

A correct part that works while saving days of your time is hardly expensive at $50.......


Kinja'd!!! Tristan > RacinBob
05/28/2019 at 18:48

Kinja'd!!!4

You underestimate my cheapassery.


Kinja'd!!! lone_liberal > Tristan
05/28/2019 at 18:54

Kinja'd!!!0

I took that door panel off and immediately gave up on the idea of getting inside that door. 


Kinja'd!!! Tristan > lone_liberal
05/28/2019 at 18:59

Kinja'd!!!2

Years ago when I lived near downtown Minneapolis I made side money replacing broken windows on friends’ cars because cars were always getting broken into in our neighborhood. I wish I hadn’t taken on that Windstar... *shudder*


Kinja'd!!! Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tristan
05/28/2019 at 19:55

Kinja'd!!!0

Perhaps it is YOU who is overestimating your cheap-assery. You got a couple or gas guzzlers and a GLI. A true cheap ass would sell it all for a 1996 Geo Prizm with a rebuilt title.


Kinja'd!!! Tristan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/28/2019 at 20:42

Kinja'd!!!1

Fair point... But my newest car IS ten years old.  I’m not cheap, I’m frugal!