Steering box nut issues?

mechroneal · January 15, 2009

I replaced my steering box. The one that came out had a "Remanufactured" sticker on it, the replacement is OEM from Autozone. The nut that secured the pittman arm to the Remanned one does not fit the OEM. Has anyone come across this? Anyone know the size, and more importantly the thread pitch on the stock bolt? Any idea where I could get a nut that fits? I am thinking wrecking yard as a last resort, as I live about 15 miles away and am currently without transpo (see above).

Four0Sport · January 15, 2009

the threads on the pitman shaft coming out of the box are different than the original box and original nut?

take that back! ive worked in the parts industry for 5+ yrs and have seen parts come in that were reman'd with wrong replacement parts. are the splines the same? will your pitman arm go onto the new shaft? if it does, see if they can get you a nut. they might have a large enough spindle nut in the back that will work.

mechroneal · January 15, 2009

The nut is from the reman that was on the truck. I have yet to see if it will fit another one from the shop (which would mean the replacement is the oddball).

The parts manager over the phone last night suggested I bring it in to see if they had a spindle nut that fit. What is a spindle nut, exactly?

BTW, the pitman arm does fir the new steering box.

Four0Sport · January 15, 2009

just a large lock nut, used on spindle shafts and cv shafts to secure them to the spindle. your explorer has them.. just not the same kind/function.

but that is a good idea.. try to see if they have a nut. and make them give it to you!

mechroneal · January 20, 2009

Four0Sport said:
...have seen parts come in that were reman'd with wrong replacement parts.

I think this is what happened. I took the nut in Sunday, and it fit another sterring box they had in stock (same part #). So Sunday I exchanged for a (second) new one, PROBLEM SOLVED (w00t!).

In the course of taking it aprt/reassembling it 3 times in the last 2 weeks, I lost the lock washer that goes on the pitman arm connection to the steering box. Is this vital? If so, any ideas where I can get one? Autozone basically laughed it off.

Also, what's the easiest way to replace the tie-rod seal? My roommate broke it when attempting to remove the pitman arm. It looks like I have to replace the whole tie-rod end, which I think also means getting it re-aligned. Would silicone hold it ok?

Four0Sport · January 20, 2009

you can usually find universal tie rod boots in the help section of parts stores

mechroneal · January 21, 2009

Four0Sport said:
you can usually find universal tie rod boots in the help section of parts stores

Cool, I will check it out. I was more concerned about the washer, but my friend who helped me pull apart the first time SWEARS it was just a regular washer.

Steering box nut issues?

mechroneal

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Four0Sport

Jack from JackOffRoad

mechroneal

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Four0Sport

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mechroneal

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Four0Sport

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