scorchmaster

iTrader: (6)

I'm trying to get rid of my P/S system, so I took off the pump and went to take off the pitman arm and it didnt come off. The pitman arm is really jammed on to the steering rack and the steering box. I figured it was easier to leave the arm on the system and just bolt it up to the manual box, but I cant get either part of the pitman arm off. I tried using a crowbar on the pitman arm right next to the box and tried pumping a jack on the end of that, but it just bent my crowbar. Do I need a puller or what's the deal?

AlkyIROC

You need a pitman arm puller. It's a tool you can rent from your local auto parts store. You'll need an impact gun too.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

You dont NEED an air gun... Its certainly nice though. You'll want a pitman arm puller. As stephen said, you can rent it at autozone or advance or whatever chain is near you.

Looks like this:



My method is to tighten it up, and then give the end a couple taps with a hammer, then tighten some more and repeat. Mine pop off with ease.

For the drag link side of the pitman arm, you can usually knock those out by hitting the side of the pitman arm with a hammer. Thats how most taper fits can be loosened. Just leave the nut on some so it doesnt drop on ya. OR... you can use a tie rod puller. It looks just like the pitman arm puller, only its smaller.



Those will save you a ton of headaches.

J.

Darkshot

iTrader: (4)

I pulled mine a couple months ago, it gave me all kinds of trouble. I had the steering box out of the car, not sure if that helped me or made it worse. I ended up having to drive my mom's Honda Odyssey up onto the steering box to hold it, and turn the shaft of the puller with a 5 foot cheater bar. It just kept GOING and GOING and when it finally came off the arm and puller flew about 20 feet across the driveway and into the neighbors yard. Scary, but it sure was satisfying.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Thats why I give it a tap with the hammer on the end of the puller. Otherwise you build up a ton of energy, and then it just pops all of a sudden. If you give it a few hits inbetween cranks on the puller, it will jar it loose little by little.

If its really stuck on there, throwing alittle heat around the pitman arm, along with a good amount of PB Blaster can help things along as well.

Another word of advice...when you re-install the pitman arm onto the other box, put a good coating of anti-seize on the splines. Getting it off next time will go a good bit easier.

J.