How to Change a 1989 Suburan Power Steering Unit

Open the power steering pump reservoir and siphon as much of the power steering fluid out that you can, using the turkey baster or siphon pump. Raise the front of the vehicle with the floor jack, then support it with jack stands. Turn the wheels so they are pointing straight ahead.

Disconnect the negative battery cable and set it aside, ensuring that it does not touch metal. Slide the drain pan under the power steering gear. Remove the fluid lines, using the appropriate line wrench. Tape the openings and lines to prevent contamination.

Remove the adapter and shield from the gear and flexible coupling with the appropriate socket. Matchmark the flexible coupling clamp and the wormshaft with the liquid eraser. Remove the flexible coupling pinch bolt, using the appropriate socket.

Matchmark the Pitman arm to the Pitman shaft. Remove the shaft nut, using the appropriate socket, then remove the Pitman arm from the Pitman shaft, using the puller. Remove the steering gear-to-frame bolts, using the appropriate socket, then remove the gear unit from the engine compartment.

Position the steering gear in position and guide the wormshaft into the flexible coupling at the same time. Line up the flat in the coupling with the flat on the wormshaft. Install the gear-to-frame bolts and tighten them to 69 foot-pounds of torque.

Install the pinch bolt. Tighten it to 30 foot-pounds of torque. Ensure that the relationship of the flexible coupling to the flange is between ¼ inch to ¾ inch of flat. Reinstall the Pitman arm onto the Pitman shaft, ensuring that your marks line up. Install the Pitman shaft nut and tighten it firmly. Reinstall the adapter and shield.

Reconnect the fluid lines. Refill the reservoir. Start the engine. Bleed the power steering pump by turning the wheel from lock to lock several times. Top off the fluid as needed.