2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission any ideas????

[GKinney]

Does anyone have any tricks or easy ways to remove the pitman arm on a '98. 5 4X2? I just tried removing mine and it was hopeless. I have a pitman arm puller, tried that, used penetrate on splines even tried warming up the arm hoping to get it loose, didn't want to get things too hot and melt the steering box shaft seal. My next thought is a die grinder with a 2" cut off wheel and making a cut on the arm to relieve the tension on the spline. Think that will work ok?? TIA gary

 

[B.G. Smith]

If you have room to get at it, you can take a large hammer or piece of metal like an 8# sledge and hold it on one side of the pitman arm (where it fits over the spline) for a backup and strike the opposit side with a medium sized ball peen hammer, about 18 oz. or 2# should work. Leave the nut partially on to protect the threads if you uh oh and to keep the arm from hiting you when it comes off. The cut off tool should work too if you are going to use a new pitman arm bg

 

[jandtjil]

I remember removing mine and it was EXTREMELY hard to remove. In the end, it was pitman arm puller vs the pitman arm, and the puller won. i also seem to remember giving the pitman arm a few love taps w BFH while pulling. Course I was replacing the stock steering box, so little worry about the seal or bearing. Good luck!



JJ