Hey guys, I'm trying to remove the steering box from 91 Trans Am (WS6 package if it matters) and Haynes wasn't very clear on a few steps...
Reason being is that I'd like to get it sandblasted and painted.
I removed the bolts from the frame, some bolt holding the steering column to the box, and the nut holding the pitman arm to the steering link. I'd like to remove it with the pitman arm still installed.



However the steering column and pitman arm are still holding on tight. I'm afraid of breaking stuff. Any help?
It's still holding on here:


and here:




And also, are the power steering lines expensive or hard to find? Since mine are pretty rusty:

 

the steering shaft slides off, the shaft itself is collapsible. get a pry-bar between the box and the end of the fitting you took the bolt out of and pry it appart, maybe try to spread the clamp fitting a bit too, that the part the bolt came out of.

the pitman arm ball joint connection, either use a pickle fork between the arm and the joint to pop it apart, or thread the nut back on so that the stubs thread are just below the top of the nut, then give it a few good whacks with a 2lb hammer and it should jar it loose.

should be able to get the hoses at a parts store, the cooler lines in unsure.

 

just remember to mark where the steering shaft meets the input shaft so when you slap it back together your steering wheel isnt cockeyed when your driving. I used a pitman arm puller from harbor freight or the zone (prob $7-$10). I also sandblasted mine with some aluminum oxide mixed in....came out real nice. Check out this thread since you already have it out....
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...build-rag.html

 

the shaft is keyed, you cant put it together wrong

and yes, a pitman puller is a good thing to have if you take the arm off, and its cheap.

the big nut is 33mm if you need to know

 

ha!.......you're right....... I'm just ****. I did that job about a year ago and I forgot it was keyed.

 

i took the time to mark the shaft when i changed my steering box, then realized afterwards it only went together one way

 

Yeah and I wanna sandblast mine so I'm not sure how well any sort of marking would handle that. Oh well at least it's keyed and idiot-proof!

 

if you sand blast the box, make damn sure you plug the hose ports, is sand gets into the pump, its a goner.

 

Oh of course!