GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Steering Gear Pitman Shaft Seal Replacement RWD

Removal Procedure

Tools Required

J 4245 Snap Ring Pliers

  1. Remove the pitman arm from the pitman shaft. Refer to Pitman Arm Replacement in Steering Linkage.
  2. Remove the snap ring (6) using J 4245 .
  3. Place a drain pan under the steering gear.
  4. Start the engine.
  5. Turn the steering wheel from stop to stop.
  6. Bounce the wheel off the stops.

  7. Turn OFF the engine.

  8. Object Number: 284247  Size: SH
  9. Remove the following components from the power steering gear (1):
  10. • The dust seal (5)
    • The return ring (4)
    • The washer (3)
    • The pitman shaft oil seal (2)
  11. Inspect the pitman shaft seal surfaces for roughness or pitting.
  12. Replace the pitman shaft if the shaft is pitted.

  13. Clean the pitman shaft and seal areas using a wire brush.

Installation Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 4245 Snap Ring Pliers
    • J 6219 Pitman Shaft Oil Seal Installer

    Object Number: 284247  Size: SH
  1. Lubricate the new seals with grease.
  2. Apply a single layer of tape to the pitman arm shaft in order to avoid damaging the seals.
  3. Install the pitman shaft oil seal (2) and washer (3) to power steering gear.

  4. Object Number: 309278  Size: SH
  5. Use J 6219 in order to seat the pitman shaft oil seal (2) and the washer (3) into the power steering gear.
  6. The seal should be in far enough to install the return ring (4), dust seal (5), and snap ring (6).

  7. Install the return ring (4) and dust seal (5) to the power steering gear.
  8. Use J 6219 in order to seat the return ring (4) and dust seal (5) into the power steering gear.
  9. Install the snap ring (6) to the pitman arm shaft using J 4245 .
  10. Center the steering gear.
  11. Line up steering gear to pitman arm.
  12. Install the pitman arm. Refer to Pitman Arm Replacement in Steering Linkage.
  13. Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Power Steering System Bleeding .

Steering Gear Pitman Shaft Seal Replacement 4WD

Removal Procedure

Tools Required

J 4245 Snap Ring Piers


    Object Number: 284247  Size: SH
  1. Remove the power steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .
  2. Remove the snap ring (6) using J 4245 .
  3. Remove the following components from the power steering gear (1):
  4. • The dust seal (5)
    • The return ring (4)
    • The washer (3)
    • The pitman shaft oil seal (2)
  5. Inspect the pitman shaft seal surfaces for roughness or pitting.
  6. Replace the pitman shaft if the shaft is pitted.

  7. Clean the pitman shaft and seal areas using a wire brush.

Installation Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 4245 Snap Ring Pliers
    • J 6219 Pitman Shaft Oil Seal Installer

    Object Number: 284247  Size: SH
  1. Lubricate the new seals with grease.
  2. Apply a single layer of tape to the pitman arm shaft in order to avoid damaging the seals.
  3. Install the pitman shaft oil seal (2) and washer (3) to power steering gear.

  4. Object Number: 309278  Size: SH
  5. Use J 6219 in order to seat the pitman shaft oil seal (2) and the washer (3) into the power steering gear.
  6. The seal should be in far enough to install the return (4), dust seal (5), and snap ring (6).

  7. Install the return ring (4) and dust seal (5) to the power steering gear.
  8. Use J 6219 in order to seat the return ring (4) and dust seal (5) into the power steering gear.
  9. Install the snap ring (6) to the pitman arm shaft using J 4245 .
  10. Install the power steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .