ZF Steering Box Removal Continued
The latest efforts to remove the ZF steering box have failed. A colleague
was convinced that a chisel gun working on a specially made steel cup tool
pressed up to the bottom of the Pittman shaft housing would crack any corrosion and free the stubborn steering box from the front sub-frame/cross member. This did not work. Sledge hammer blows on the same cup tool
also had no effect. We also tried a long bar to rotate the box. The sub-frame was clamped to a large welding table. Again, no movement was achieved.
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The failure of the last method, might suggest some other issue beyond severe "rust welding." This is just speculation, however. So our next plan is to torch the sleeve on the sub-frame surrounding the Pittman shaft with the hope that this will cause enough expansion to separate the parts. I am concerned about possible damage to the steering box, particularly seals.
Before I continue, I want to get any advice, and any photographs of the ZF box separated from the frame. I also want to confirm that the ZF box is secured to the frame with only the 4 bolts mounted through the bottom of the steering box platform on the subframe.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Greg Woog
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