Can get that darn Pitman Arm OFF!!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JAB'70 · 07-04-2009, 02:48 PM

I'm in the process of changing out my power steering box, ps pump and since I had everything thorn down and pulled off I decided to go ahead and replace the pitman arm. Bing pulled off the front end from the ps box, not problem. I can not for the life of me get the tie rod end off. Yes, I'm using a pitman arm/tie rod end puller, I also tried using a pulley puller also. I will not budge. Turned a two hour job into a when I get time to do it job.

Happy 4th...
USN Retired

68gmsee · 07-04-2009, 04:17 PM

Probably time to find a friend or may buy or rent a small torch and heat the outside to expand it.

Year ago a friend told me to use a propane to remove a stubborn tie rod, but I'm not sure if propane would get it hot quickly enough on the outside to pop it loose.

cparman · 07-04-2009, 05:31 PM

I want to make sure I understand what will not come off? You are trying to get the center link/drag link off of the pitman arm? If so, and you have the steering box still bolted in place, a hammer and a couple of hard blows to the pitman arm where the center link attaches will usually vibrate the center link loose. Now I mean do not swing that hammer like a sissy, hit it like you mean it!! You will need a pitman arm puller to remove the pitman arm from the steering box

PanelDeland · 07-04-2009, 08:16 PM

Like cparman said,ya gotta let it know you're there.I use a 4# engineers hammer and it usually takes a few swats to get a good angle on it.

Bus Ted Knuckle · 07-04-2009, 11:46 PM

Go to the parts store and get puller on the loaner tool program. It won't cost a dime after you get your deposit back.

JAB'70 · 07-09-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cparman

I want to make sure I understand what will not come off? You are trying to get the center link/drag link off of the pitman arm? If so, and you have the steering box still bolted in place, a hammer and a couple of hard blows to the pitman arm where the center link attaches will usually vibrate the center link loose. Now I mean do not swing that hammer like a sissy, hit it like you mean it!! You will need a pitman arm puller to remove the pitman arm from the steering box

The gear box is off. The center attached to the gear box was not a problem. The back end connected to the tierod is what stuck in place.

JAB'70 · 07-09-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bus Ted Knuckle

Go to the parts store and get puller on the loaner tool program. It won't cost a dime after you get your deposit back.

I've been there. I have my own puller. Went to the AP store rented a tri-armed puller. Would not budge. Its been sitting for a few days, I might try it one more time before I take the hammer to it....

craig24671 · 07-09-2009, 09:45 AM

i'm with cparman, couple a hard blows with a hammer always worked for me. just leave the nut on loose just in case you miss.

Blue71LWB · 07-09-2009, 10:11 AM

I've only done this a time or two , but it sounds like you may have taken the wrong side off first.

mr48chev · 07-09-2009, 10:14 AM

I have used a big hammer to pop tierod ends and ball joints loose for the past 40 years.

The key is to hit the piece that the stud on the tie rod or ball joint is going through square and at 90 degrees to the stud.

DO NOT under any circumstance hit the end of the stud on the item being removed if you intend to reuse the piece. The threads get damaged beyond repair easily and the part doesn't come out anyhow.

I don't like using a pickle fork to knock the ends out unless I am going to throw them away.

07-04-2009, 02:48 PM	#1
JAB'70 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 54	Can get that darn Pitman Arm OFF!!! I'm in the process of changing out my power steering box, ps pump and since I had everything thorn down and pulled off I decided to go ahead and replace the pitman arm. Bing pulled off the front end from the ps box, not problem. I can not for the life of me get the tie rod end off. Yes, I'm using a pitman arm/tie rod end puller, I also tried using a pulley puller also. I will not budge. Turned a two hour job into a when I get time to do it job. Happy 4th... USN Retired

07-04-2009, 04:17 PM	#2
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Can get that darn Pitman Arm OFF!!! Probably time to find a friend or may buy or rent a small torch and heat the outside to expand it. Year ago a friend told me to use a propane to remove a stubborn tie rod, but I'm not sure if propane would get it hot quickly enough on the outside to pop it loose.

07-04-2009, 05:31 PM	#3
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: Can get that darn Pitman Arm OFF!!! I want to make sure I understand what will not come off? You are trying to get the center link/drag link off of the pitman arm? If so, and you have the steering box still bolted in place, a hammer and a couple of hard blows to the pitman arm where the center link attaches will usually vibrate the center link loose. Now I mean do not swing that hammer like a sissy, hit it like you mean it!! You will need a pitman arm puller to remove the pitman arm from the steering box

07-04-2009, 08:16 PM	#4
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Can get that darn Pitman Arm OFF!!! Like cparman said,ya gotta let it know you're there.I use a 4# engineers hammer and it usually takes a few swats to get a good angle on it. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

07-04-2009, 11:46 PM	#5
Bus Ted Knuckle Son of a gun Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,636	Re: Can get that darn Pitman Arm OFF!!! Go to the parts store and get puller on the loaner tool program. It won't cost a dime after you get your deposit back. __________________ Bill BEATERS ARE NEATER

07-09-2009, 09:45 AM	#8
craig24671 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Overton,Texas Posts: 148	Re: Can get that darn Pitman Arm OFF!!! i'm with cparman, couple a hard blows with a hammer always worked for me. just leave the nut on loose just in case you miss. __________________ Spanky

07-09-2009, 10:11 AM	#9
Blue71LWB Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 120	Re: Can get that darn Pitman Arm OFF!!! I've only done this a time or two , but it sounds like you may have taken the wrong side off first. __________________ Working on my first 1,000 post. I'm sure I'll get there before this project is over .

07-09-2009, 10:14 AM	#10
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,346	Re: Can get that darn Pitman Arm OFF!!! I have used a big hammer to pop tierod ends and ball joints loose for the past 40 years. The key is to hit the piece that the stud on the tie rod or ball joint is going through square and at 90 degrees to the stud. DO NOT under any circumstance hit the end of the stud on the item being removed if you intend to reuse the piece. The threads get damaged beyond repair easily and the part doesn't come out anyhow. I don't like using a pickle fork to knock the ends out unless I am going to throw them away.



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