Re: Pitman Arm

From: Terrible Tom (silvereightynine@aol.com)
Date: Fri Jul 03 2009 - 01:17:03 EDT


Matt Beazer wrote:

>
> I just dropped a few hundred bucks on all new Moog tie rods/adjusting
> sleeves/idler arm/pitman arm, etc to get the truck in shape for new tires
> (it has a weird "ping" noise when turning the steering wheel and the
> wheels/tires have a good 1/4" of left/right slop).
>
> I thought I'd ask if anyone had any hints on removing the pitman arm on a
> '95 4x4? From the looks of it, there's dang little room to get a tool on
> there. I bought a cheap puller from Harbor Freight but I'm starting to
> wonder if it'll fit unless I pull the steering gear.
>
> Thanks,
>
> MattB
>

Take it for what its worth - but I'm going to recommend you actually remove the steering gear
box itself. Three bolts through teh left side of the frame. One bolt in the steering shaft
and the slip shaft pulls out (use lots of PB Blaster oil)... and the two power steering fluid
lines. (good time to flush the power steering system while your at it - who knows if that
fluid was ever changed in 14 years...)

The pitman arm on Christine refused to come off when I wanted to change it. I busted pitman
arm pullers, tie rod pullers etc... heated it - froze it... What I ended up doing was
isntalling a new pitman arm on a rebuilt steering gear box. The box went bad on me anyway - so
I didn't bother trying to pull the arm off the old box again - there was no point to it. But
if you want to remove it with less hassle... trust me - dropping the gear box is easier than
screwing around with it on the truck and fighting with the front crossmember in the way. Off
the truck you can get it on a bench top or better yet in a vise.

-- 
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"Man is the only kind of varmint [who] sets his own trap, baits it, then steps in it"
-John Steinbeck
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