97 astro steering box ? has any 1 ever rebuilt 1?

[chevymut]

hello

iam somewhat new to this forum but have had alot of good results from searches on other topics with oddball problems on here , i want to thank all on here 1st off with helping people like me , the back yard mechanics,lol.

now my main ? is has any 1 rebuilt a chevy steering box on an 97 or yr close to this yr on a astro van all wheel drive,i just noticed i have some wander in the steering and seen some play in the steerbox gear, my van has a 145,000 on it .i really would like to rebuilt it other than pay $250
for a new one. i have basic set of mechanic craftsman tool and some odds that i picked up over the yrs.

if u could let me know how hard it is to rebuild or any special tricks ,tools est, to rebuild would save me $200 .

thank you
phil

[ericn1300]

replace your idler arm first to see if it takes out the sloppiness and wander in the steering. it's a common problem on these rigs and a lot cheaper and easier to do. if the origional one hasnt been replaced yet, you're way overdue. it will make a big difference.

[jomarche]

Not easy I tried yesterday. I broke a vise in the process and still could not get a CAP BOLT (for lack of a better term) loose from the inside of the box. Also dozens of bearing come spilling out with no logical way to put hem back in. The instruction mention a special tool.

I finally bought a rebuilt one for 175.00.

Now I am trying to get the steering wheel straight.