removing the steering gear for a rebuild... Got everything disconnected, got the big nut off with an impact gun and a 1 5/16" socket. But the pitman arm won't budge. Hooked up a 2 arm puller and drive it with my impact gun but still cannot get it to move. Looking for suggestions. Plenty of guys seem to be unable to get it off!

Considering adding a little heat, not a lot. Not glowing hot, just a little to open up the hole and free the rust. Hoping this isn't a problem for the cast iron part.

Use a pickle fork between the arm and the body?

Looking for ideas that work!

thanks

 

Liberal application of brute force and ignorance will get it off. If you break it, you needed a new one anyway.

 

Some heat and a puller worked on mine.

 

Don't be scared to use a buttload of heat and a puller..

 

I've never had to use heat to remove a pitman arm but a proper pitman arm puller helps. I've never used he 2 jaw puller.

These are the most common pullers



This is the style that I use

 

you can use this in every day life

just ask the Ford Guys!

on a side note:
any body make a slick aftermarket pitmen arm. from billet? sorta like the Nascar parts.
seen a few. that look like they would fit. but not the press/slide on style.

 

I'd freaking cut the thing off if I knew I could get another one but i have not seen one anywhere! Not even on Ebay. So I plan to do what i can to preserve the one I have.....

Just who the heck was Pitman anyway? And why was he so special.... must have been one stubborn guy.....

 

Go rent the puller from autozone (free if you return it), put some heat to it, grab a breaker bar and a piece of pipe, man up and get it off.

 

heat, puller and big bar works everytime. i have had to due this many times when i worked in a shop

 

You can try tightening the puller as much as you can, then smack.the side of.the arm with a large hammer a few times. Might be enough to break it loose.

 

youve got to rare back and knock the **** out of it. it will fall off

 

Good suggestions here, they can be very stubborn. Last one I did I was fed-up working on it and just left the puller on it tightened up. Next morning the pitman arm was off. Came loose overnight sometime.

RBob.

 

I've never heard of removing one that way but I'm glad it worked.

 

SUCCESS!!!... For I have vanquished the arm of Pitman!

Here's how:
1. Used a forged 2 arm Craftsman puller. And got a good grip on the underside.
2. Soaked the connection with liquid wrench.
3. Tightened up the puller with a 15 inch driver.Very tight but not ridiculous.
4. Used a propane torch to put heat on the end of the arm.
5. After the smoke cleared, started smacking the connection end of the arm while still applying heat.
6. After a couple minutes, it popped off like a jack-in-the-box.

I can see how it might pop off overnight...the press fit on the tapered splines just gives all at once.....

 

Next time try a real pitman arm puller.