I am trying to replace my steering gear box and cannot get the Pitman Arm off.

Do I have to pull each end.... the end that attaches to steering gear and the other end that attaches to tie rod linkage.... little by little, or is there enough play to just separate Pitman Arm at the steering gear?

Help!

ps 96 Dodge CTD, 4X4, auto

 

Are you using a pitman arm puller?
They can be tough to get off without one.

 

and use an impact hammer on a low setting in the puller.....

 

I'm using a two jaw puller at the steering gear. Do I need to take off the end at the tie rod first?

Should I be using a pickel fork type tool? Is there a better puller than a two jar type?

 

Special Pitman puller. Then, tap around the arm as you pull.

 

A pitman arm puller is hard steel with non adjustable jaws, won't slip off like a jaw type puller. You can really torque down on one. They are made so the bolt can be wailed on with a BFH.
I wouldn't use a pickle fork as you may damage the steering box. Leave the nut on loosely as they can come off like a shotgun blast.

This picture came from Autozone's free Loan-A-Tool Program website, or buy one they are under $25.

 

I stripped the bolt on the one I rented when I was doing my lift. That puppy was frozen on there.

 

Yes, I went thru two of them. You gotta put tension on it, then keep whacking the side of the pitman (where it meets the steering gear) with a hammer. You don't want to hit so hard you damage the steering gear, but you want to really shock the metal. If your trashing the steering box, then get som heat on it. Try some pen. oil as well. Good luck, Kevin

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by infidel
[B]A pitman arm puller is hard steel with non adjustable jaws, won't slip off like a jaw type puller. You can really torque down on one. They are made so the bolt can be wailed on with a BFH.

infidel,

Appreciate the picture. How do you wail on the one you've got pictured with a BFH. Are you talking about hitting the wrench that's turning the bolt with a hammer?

 

You hit the puller's bolt head straight on once you have it tightened down as much as you dare. Be careful you aren't deforming the steering box's shaft in the process.

 

I had hell getting mine off even with an 11 ton port-a-power hydraulic ram and 3 jaw puller!
I even bought a puller like pictured above and I still couldn't get it to budge with all the manual torque I could muster!
I swallowed my pride and called my trusted dealer and I said "HELP!"...
My dealer said bring it on by and he'd pop it off for me.
He pulled out the same exact puller as pictured above, grabbed a big pneumatic impact wrench and commenced to rattling away on it!
3 minutes of impact wrench use and it FINALLY gave way! I figured the puller would crater any second under that kind of abuse, but it didn't! He said sometimes they are just that tight!

Put some extreme pressure grease (moly?) on the threads of the puller and get really physical with it!!! Just don't tear up the steering box nose, seal or internals by beating, overheating or prying on it... Use a puller! It will work, eventually...

Keith