hard to change steering gear 2500hd ?

[ron7000]

have a 2006 2500HD sierra and the steering gear is on its way out.
what are the chances I can change this myself, what is needed?
Does the front end need to be off the ground?
Any special tools?

[JohnC]

You can do it yourself. The front end will have to be off the ground. It may be possible to do it on the ground but access will be a pain and once you disconnect the steering you will have no way of moving things around, which means they will certainly be in your way.

Over all I would rate it as "not fun".

You will need a separator for the pitman arm.

Check the adjustments on the replacement. I have had two that I think they either adjusted wrong or not at all... Much easier to correct on the bench!

[DmaxMaverick]

Don't worry about removing the pitman arm. If the box is shot, the pitman arm isn't far behind (or the actual reason for the failure). Just replace it.

The job isn't bad. About like replacing a starter....Twice.

[Kennedy]

Over the years I have picked up many contacts. I haven't talked to the guy in a few years now as I recall, but I did have conversation with Harvey at Red Head Steering Gears. Might be worth checking out. I have no first hand experience with his products, but am really skeptical about production shop rebuilds.