pitman arm removal

[Danno]

Borrowed the pitman arm puller from the local O'Reilly's and tried to pull the arm off the gear box shaft, yes the nut and lock washer are removed. It would not budge, even with some extension leverage.

I am swapping out the box and arm anyway, but wanted to remove the arm for the core return. I think at this point I will just give them the box with the arm on it, but I was wondering what I missed. Is there a snap ring or something else holding the arm on the shaft? BTW, the box is removed and I was attempting this on the garage floor.

 

[nailpounder]

i remember it was a fight to remove to remove the arm. the core is only 26$ if you can afford to keep it you might consider it other vendors want a lot more for a core .you never know if you need it my original box is up on the shelf just in case

 

[jbojo]

Borrowed the pitman arm puller from the local O'Reilly's and tried to pull the arm off the gear box shaft, yes the nut and lock washer are removed. It would not budge, even with some extension leverage.

I am swapping out the box and arm anyway, but wanted to remove the arm for the core return. I think at this point I will just give them the box with the arm on it, but I was wondering what I missed. Is there a snap ring or something else holding the arm on the shaft? BTW, the box is removed and I was attempting this on the garage floor.

Yeah it's hard to get off. I wound up getting a new box and arm and keeping the original one as a spare.

 

[71_resurrection]

I doused mine in penetrating oil, let it sit for a while, and then used a pnuematic impact gun to turn the screw. Now the alignment place says I need to replace it cuz there is a lot of play in my steering linkage. Not sure if this is bogus or not, doing more research.

 

[droptop73]

I agree on the impact along with penetrating lube. A few strikes on the sides of the arm with a hammer would help too.

 

[73MustangCoupe]

Penetrating oil, a little touch of the hot wrench, and a few taps with a hammer loosened up the pitman arm enough that the pitman arm puller will work on mine. Good luck with yours.

 

[Don C]

When you hit it with a hammer, put another hammer on the opposite side, helps to concentrate and contain the force exerted by the hammer blow onto the pitman arm.

 

[Luke]

Use a puller and some penetration oil/fluid it may require a fair bit of force. Best not to strike the side of it as you don't want to run the risk of damaging any important bits in the steering box.

 

[Manu Mach1]

I used an extractor to remove it, I remember was not easy cause I did this job while I was under the car, the car was only 1 feet high

So if you have your core out already shouldn't be so hard.

Good luck.

 

[MeZapU]

I needed to use the puller and a oxy torch to bust mine loose. Had some wet rags on hand to cool the steering box shaft as to not cook the seal. It did not want to go easily.

 

[mycoses]

after breaking two pittman arm pullers from harbor freight I had to buy a stronger tool which I have included the name and bought from summitt which did the job. OTC Tools 8149 - OTC Universal Pitman Arm Pullers. did not want to use a torch which would probably damage the seals in the steering box. almost as difficult was installing the new one needing 200 ft lbs torque.