How hard is it to replace the steering box?

[Fiat88]

My steering box is leaking a good amount and now that I have the starter, intake manifold, radiator out, it would be the perfect time to do it. I'm thinking about buying a new one.

I'm worried about not lining the new box up right with the tie rods as my manuel doesn't explain the procedure well. What kind of specialty tools do I need? I think I need some encouragement. lol

[azruss]

steering box is not a big deal. the biggest pain is separating the ball joints. the tie rod alignment will take care of itself. just make sure you mount them to the right hole. your only alignment issue will be the steering wheel. just find the center of the arm travel and make sure the steering wheel is straight.

[RoyBatty]

See if this helps.
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12087

[grittracing]

I know this put the bolts in the oposite that they came out easier to line up.

[Fiat88]

Thanks guys! I think I'm gonna give it a go. It really is a good time to do it because I have the starter and manifold out already. I guess I could rent one of those seperators from advanced auto.

[Fiat88]

Change I plans maybe...First I want to try to adjust the box and see if I can get some of the play out of it. I'll do this before I try to put new seals in or invest in a new box. I want to make sure that the internal components are still good before taking it out and refurbing it.

Only draw back is I can't test drive, is it worth doing?

[Fiat88]

So, I placed the front up on jackstands and started to find out where the play was coming from. I noticed when I turned the wheel at one point I kept hearing a sort of light pop sound. Could that indicate the bearings in the box are broke? Will do some more investigation.

[manoa matt]

If the front was up on jack stands I assume the wheels and control arms were hanging down. Sometimes the tie rod ends and the tie rod sleeves can get caught up on the control arms and cause that popping if the suspension is in "full drop".

[Fiat88]

Thanks Matt, will take another look.

[bradartigue]

So, I placed the front up on jackstands and started to find out where the play was coming from. I noticed when I turned the wheel at one point I kept hearing a sort of light pop sound. Could that indicate the bearings in the box are broke? Will do some more investigation.

A pop can come from a bad ball joint, and you have eight of them (2 upper, 2 lower, 2 each tie rod end), plus the idler, plus the steering box. Isolating a noise can be tricky as it kind of gets lost in the shuffle. At each extreme end of rotation a pop isn't uncommon. If you want to eliminate the noise due to the droop then jack up the A-Arms to take the slack out of the springs somewhat (don't use this as a primary jack point).

And I'm sure you've read but some play is normal in a worm&roller system like this; no play is actually bad and wears the box sooner.

[Fiat88]

I almost have the box out as I'm planning to replace the seals! The only problem is that the center link tie rod which is attached to the steering box pitman arm is frozen and won't budge. I went to advanced auto and got a loaner front end suspension set but it didn't work. So I unbolted the center link from the passanger side and I'm gonna try and drop the box with the center link attached. It seems I just got to lower the downpipe a little. I've got all 3 bolts out of the steering box so there's no turning back now, if I can't geet it out I'm gonna have to cut the center link. So you guys think its possible to get the box out with the center link still attached?

[Fiat88]

Got the box out with the center link attached by lowering the downpipe! Now whats the best way to reomve the frozen tie rod which is still attached to the pitman arm? Heat?