2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Pitman arm removal

[Henry]

Hey guys (and gals) I'm trying to remove my factory pitman arm to replace it with a extended Skyjacker arm. I've lubed this thing, heated it a little and am using a gear / pulley puller. It is STUCK on there! Any suggestions for removing it?

 

[Alan Reagan]

I saw a mechanic at my dealer remove one. First he put the puller on and it didn't work. Then he put the fork on and got it to move with a large hammer. Then he knocked it loose. It wasn't pretty, but it worked.

 

[mbatterson 1]

pickle fork

i've kept one of these in my toolbox for years. cost somewhere around 20. 00. hit it with a big hammer and tie rods and pitman arms come right off.



mike

 

[Bob Cochran]

Are we talking about a pickle fork!!! I don't mean dill either.

 

[Extreme1]

If you are trying to seperate the tapered joint, get two 5# hamers (3# hammers will work but it takes longer). Put one on one side of the seat part of the joint and smack the other side with the hammer. Wear safety glasses and hit as hard as you can. By backing it up with the second hammer, you will get it to distort enough to fall apart.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Bob, It was a pickle fork. Long rod.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Ordinary gear pullers seldom work on a pitman arm. NAPA and other stores sell a Pitman Arm Puller that is very strong and usually works well. You can apply extreme tension to the arm with the puller and then tap it with a small hammer and they normally pop right off. Also very useful to remove your steering damper tapered shaft if you have a 4x4. This is something I learned from this website when I had a "pulling problem" last year.

 

[Henry]

Thanks guys

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to steer (HAAAA) clear of the pickle fork because I don't want to get my leverage against my steering box!:--) . I'll start with the big hammer approach and, if all else fails, head to NAPA for a pitman arm puller. Thanks again guys... ... I'll let you know what works.

 

[Henry]

Got it!

Thanks all for the input. Dieselnerd, you rock! $20. 00 at Napa got me a trick little pitman arm puller and all I had to do was tap "lightly" with a small hammer while gradually torquing the puller. Popped right off and I didn't risk any damage! Thanks again for all the input guys!