Steering Gearbox Replacement
What is a steering gearbox?
The steering gearbox is the older and more heavy duty type of steering gear, and may be power steering, or manual steering. When the steering wheel is turned, the steering gear, whether power assisted or not, turns the pitman arm, which causes the wheels to turn.
How does the steering gearbox work?
The steering wheel is connected to the steering gear by the steering column. When the steering wheel is turned, the steering gear will turn the pitman arm, the link between the center link and the steering gear. The pitman arm and idler arm, which connects the other side of the center link to the chassis, hold the steering linkage up, and allow it to move to either side with the pitman arm. When the steering linkage moves to one side, the wheels turn in that direction, causing the vehicle to turn.
When a steering gearbox is failing, the steering effort may increase or become jerky and uneven. The steering linkage may feel loose, have excessive play, and the gearbox may leak fluid from the steering shaft shaft seals or cracks in the steering gearbox itself.