Power Steering Gear Box

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the hydraulic power steering gear box on a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Power steering gear box assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Power steering pressure line O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Power steering return line O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Coupling bolt (if reuse not recommended) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• ACDelco Power Steering Fluid — 1.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels.
2. Turn steering wheel to center position and verify wheels are straight.
3. Turn ignition off and remove key. Install steering wheel holder tool to prevent rotation during service.
4. Disconnect negative battery cable to prevent accidental airbag deployment.
5. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands at frame rails.
6. Remove front wheels using lug wrench and set aside.
7. Place drain pan under steering gear box area.
8. Use turkey baster or fluid pump to remove as much power steering fluid from reservoir as possible.

Procedure

1. 1

   Access steering components from underside
   Working from underneath the vehicle, locate the steering gear box mounted to the frame on the driver side. Remove any skid plates or splash shields that obstruct access to the gear box and steering linkage. Clean the work area with wire brush and apply penetrating oil to all fasteners to be removed.
2. 2

   Disconnect intermediate steering shaft
   Locate the intermediate shaft coupling bolt connecting the steering column shaft to the steering gear input shaft. Mark the relationship between the shafts with a paint pen or scribe for reassembly reference. Remove the coupling bolt completely. Carefully separate the intermediate shaft from the gear box input shaft by pulling the shaft upward. Do not allow the steering column shaft to rotate.
   ⚠If the intermediate shaft separates at the slip joint during removal, the shaft must be collapsed back to the original position before reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Coupling Bolt42 Nm (31 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Disconnect Pitman arm from steering linkage
   Locate the Pitman arm at the output of the steering gear box. Remove the cotter pin and castle nut securing the Pitman arm to the center link of the steering linkage. Use a Pitman arm puller to separate the Pitman arm from the center link. Do not use a pickle fork or hammer as this will damage the joint. Leave the Pitman arm attached to the gear box sector shaft for now.
   ⚠Striking the Pitman arm or center link with a hammer can damage components and cause premature wear.
4. 4

   Disconnect power steering pressure line
   Using a flare nut wrench to prevent rounding, disconnect the high pressure line fitting from the steering gear box. Position drain pan to catch fluid. Cap or plug the line and gear box port immediately to prevent contamination and excessive fluid loss. Inspect the O-ring on the pressure line and prepare new O-ring for installation.
   ⚠Residual pressure may remain in the system. Loosen fittings slowly to allow pressure to bleed off.
   Torque spec

   Pressure Line Fitting42 Nm (31 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect power steering return line
   Disconnect the low pressure return line from the steering gear box using appropriate wrench. Allow remaining fluid to drain into pan. Cap or plug the line and gear box port to prevent contamination. Inspect O-ring and prepare new O-ring for installation.
   Torque spec

   Power Steering Line Fittings30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove steering gear box mounting bolts
   Locate the three mounting bolts securing the steering gear box to the frame rail. These bolts pass through the gear box mounting brackets and into the frame. Support the weight of the gear box with one hand or have an assistant hold it. Remove all three rack mounting bolts completely. Note the position and orientation of any washers or spacers.
   ⚠The gear box assembly is heavy and awkward to handle. Use proper lifting technique or have an assistant help.
   Torque spec

   Rack Mounting Bolts127 Nm (94 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove steering gear box assembly
   Carefully lower and maneuver the steering gear box assembly away from the frame. The Pitman arm will still be attached to the sector shaft. You may need to rotate or angle the assembly to clear the frame and other components. Once clear, place the assembly on a clean work surface. Remove the Pitman arm from the old gear box sector shaft if reusing (may require puller).
8. 8

   Prepare new steering gear box
   If reusing the Pitman arm, install it onto the new gear box sector shaft, aligning the master spline. The gear box should be in the center position (count turns lock-to-lock and divide by two, or measure input shaft rotation). Remove all shipping plugs and caps from the new gear box ports. Install new O-rings on both the pressure and return line fittings, lubricating lightly with clean power steering fluid.
   ℹ️Some replacement gear boxes come with the Pitman arm pre-installed. Verify what is included with your replacement part.
9. 9

   Install steering gear box to frame
   With the gear box in the centered position and input shaft pointed upward, carefully lift and position the assembly into the mounting location on the frame. Align the mounting holes with the frame. Start all three rack mounting bolts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement. Once all bolts are started, tighten them in a cross pattern to the specified torque using a torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Rack Mounting Bolts127 Nm (94 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Connect power steering lines
    Remove caps from the gear box ports and fluid lines. Install the pressure line first, ensuring the new O-ring is properly seated. Thread the fitting by hand initially to prevent cross-threading, then tighten to specification using a flare nut wrench and torque wrench. Repeat the process for the return line. Verify both fittings are secure and properly torqued.
    Torque spec

    Pressure Line Fitting42 Nm (31 lb-ft)

    Power Steering Line Fittings30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect Pitman arm to steering linkage
    Position the center link up to the Pitman arm ball stud. Install the castle nut and tighten to specification. Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut and ball stud, bending the ends to secure. Verify the connection is tight and the joint moves freely without binding.
12. 12

    Connect intermediate steering shaft
    Verify the steering wheel is still centered and locked in position. Align the intermediate shaft with the steering gear input shaft, matching the marks made during disassembly. Ensure the shaft is fully engaged onto the input shaft splines. Install the new or cleaned coupling bolt and tighten to specification. Verify the connection is secure and there is no play in the joint.
    ⚠Misalignment of the steering shaft can cause binding, uneven steering effort, or damage to the clockspring.
    Torque spec

    Coupling Bolt42 Nm (31 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall any splash shields or skid plates removed during disassembly. Install the front wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Once weight is on the wheels, torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Fill and bleed power steering system
    Remove the steering wheel holding tool. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Fill the power steering reservoir with fresh ACDelco Power Steering Fluid to the cold fill line. Start the engine and allow it to idle. Turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock several times without holding at full lock. Check fluid level and add as needed. Repeat the process until no bubbles appear in the reservoir and the fluid level stabilizes. Check for leaks at all connections.
    ⚠Do not hold the steering wheel at full lock for more than 5 seconds as this can overheat the power steering fluid and damage the pump.

Reassembly

1. All fasteners should be torqued to specification in the order listed in the steps above.
2. New O-rings must be used on all power steering line connections.
3. The steering system must be properly bled to remove all air from the system.
4. A proper wheel alignment is strongly recommended after steering gear box replacement.

Verification

• Start engine and verify smooth power steering operation with no unusual noises or vibrations.
• Turn steering wheel fully lock-to-lock multiple times and verify smooth operation without binding or hard spots.
• Check all power steering line connections for leaks with engine running.
• Verify power steering fluid level is at the proper hot fill mark after system reaches operating temperature.
• Test drive vehicle and verify proper steering response, centering, and returnability.
• Check for any fluid leaks after test drive and verify no warning lights are illuminated.
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment to ensure proper tire wear and handling characteristics.

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