Pitman Arm

[Bill Weber]

Trying to install the steering up grade on my 04. No luck removing the pitman arm. Soaked for 3 days with penetrating oil, applied some heat, broke one puller and am about to break another. Does anyone have any suggestions??

Bill

 

[JerryNelson]

die grinder and put a cut up the side and split it a part

 

[rjones]

I you have a air hammer use a blunt end punch and while applying downward pressure with a puller or pry bar use the air hammer on the side of the pitman arm... it should break free.

 

[Schumacher]

While putting pressurer on the puller, hit the pitman arm near the steering shaft with a "BFH". Then put alittle more pressure on the puller and do it again.

 

[EDankievitch]

On one truck I had to make a heat shield out of some tin flashing that I had laying around so I could really heat the arm. Then I applied pressure with the puller and gave it a good smack with a 8 lb hammer it popped right off and I didn't burn the seals.

 

[JFought]

i had to cut mine off.

Even after heat oil and a 10 ton puller and hammer.

 

[Bill Weber]

Thanks for all the input guys. Tried more penetrating oil, & heat yesterday. Decided not to break the puller & used a cut off wheel on a 4" grinder. Made 2 cuts part way through (did not want to cut into bolt or gear box) then drove a small chisel into the cuts, first one side then the other several times. Finally put the puller back on and still with a great amount of force it broke free. The rest of the install went fine. Only problem was the steering dampener. The bolt it mounts to on the tie rod is 1/2" SAE. The nut is metric. Found a nyloc 1/2" nut & used it. The bolt is too short - can barely get the nut on all the way. Will have to get a longer carriage bolt. The shock that came with the kit is no better than the stock shock that has 140,000 miles on it. Thanks to all again.

Bill

 

[JFought]

Bill that exactly what i had o do to mine, even with that large puller.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I guess I lucked out - pulling mine was like taking candy from a baby!

 

[Bill Weber]

Prairie Dog I hate people like you! Just kidding. Glad you had an easy time of it. All other parts came off easily so I guess I had to pay somewhere.

Bill

 

[Prairie Dog]

Bill, I figure I'll pay when it comes time to do the bearings. .

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I had to cut mine off.

 

[DDT]

I used a pickle for(impact type), nice heavy 2 bar puller with a clamp at the top so it did not slip off. Impact on the puller/ pickel fork a little at a time and also used chisel in the split part of the yoke. tighten, pop puller head, wait, repeat. It finally came off, just needed extreme presure for 1/2 hour straight. I did use a lot of penatrating oil to. good luck, they can be a bear!!