1970s 1976 Sedan Deville Steering Gear Removal

[cadillac91]

1976 Sedan Deville Steering Gear is leaking.  I have read the removal procedure in the SM.  Questions:  Would it be easier to remove the pitman arm from the center link vs. the steering gear?  Secondly, which bolts do I remove from the rag joint?  Is the steering gear difficult to remove for a person working on his back on the floor?  Thanks!

[bcroe]

1976 Sedan Deville Steering Gear is leaking.  I have read the removal procedure in the SM.  Questions:  Would it be easier to remove the pitman arm from the center link vs. the steering gear?  Secondly, which bolts do I remove from the rag joint?  Is the steering gear difficult to remove for a person working on his back on the floor?  Thanks!

I find it quite difficult to remove the pitman arm
from the steering gear.  There is a bolt perpendicular
to the shaft to pull, then the rag joint can be slid
back from the gear.  good luck, Bruce Roe

[Big Fins]

I agree with Bruce. Much easier to pull the Pitman arm off of the car. I've seen puller arms snap because they are on so tight.

The sedan is a breeze compared to the Eldorado. There should be one nut and bolt holding the steering shaft to the steering box input shaft. Once removed, you can slide the shaft back just enough to get it out.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Randy,
I've found pulling the pitman arm off the box wioth a dedicated pitman arm puller (not expensive) is not much of a problem.
Greg Surfas

[35-709]

I just today finished changing out the power steering box in Big Red (I used a mid-'80s Monte Carlo box) since it was leaking at the input shaft.  I used a pitman arm puller with my impact wrench and it came off easily. 

For me, at 81, I could not change out that very heavy box, even with the car on my lift, without a friend wearing his muscle shirt to help.  Be careful laying on your back under the car with that heavy chunk.  A floor jack placed under it and raised up to it will help take some of the strain. 

[TJ Hopland]

I think one reason the dedicated pullers work well is they grab a bit further in than the typical universal pullers do and most of the arms tend to have a slightly rounded edge which leaves even less for them to grab.  Its also nice that they don't move unless you have the fancy jaw pullers that have the clamping ring to hold the arms in position.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

TJ
ALL dedicated (to specific operations) tools are designed specifically for the task intended. Jury rigged substitute devices are by their very nature less effective
Greg Surfas