Ok, I decided that I was going to replace a bunch of steering parts. The idler arm went fine. So I went on to the pitman. I have not been able to pull that SOB off of the steering box (manual). I have a 3 arm puller on it tightened as tight as I can get it with a 2' long cheater and have used Liquid Wrench like crazy. I have even heated it up with a torch. It does not budge. Has anyone come accross this? If so, how did you bust it loose? I am close to cuttn' the thing off.
Buffumguy1

 

Good question, I have run across a couple like that and couldn't get them off either. Keep tension on it, keep it soaking in penetrant, try again tomorrow. If it still won't come off, try an air hammer/chisel. The impact and vibration may break up the rust.

 

As long as you are replacing the arm, you might try heating it up while under tension. Just don't go crazy and start heating the steering box too, or you might melt something. But adding heat to the arm should cause it to expand and release. Good luck...

 

If you are tossing the old arm anyway, you should "carefully" cut using an angle grinder on the part of the arm that goes around the steering box splines. It just needs to be a narrow slit just to releave the presure on the splines. Sometimes opening the slit up with a prybar/big flat head screw driver helps too.

I have done this heaps of times and it works a charm.

Cheers,

SR

 

Hey Eatdust,
Just thought I would let you know that I finally got the pitman arm off. Had to cut it twice, but then it just fell off. Thanks for the advise. My new arm looks nice and shiny under the car.
Buffumguy1

 

No problem

I must admit I once have cut a pitman arm twice to get it off!!!