Frankenvette

Need to get the nut of the pitman arm to steering box so I can remove it. Anyone know what size socket I need to purchase?

tracdogg2

1 5/16

Frankenvette

thanks

MalibuVLX

after you get the nut off, soak the shaft w PB Blaster for a while before you try your puller.

billcarson

someone on this site had the great idea to wrap the stuck part in aluminum foil and fill it with pb blaster.worked like a charm for me on the rear shock mounts.

69 Chevy

For a socket that size, I would recommend a 6 point vs a 12 point. Do you have a 1/2" breaker bar long enough to put it to use?

And if you don't work on construction equipment or trucks, that's probably the one and only time you use a socket that big.

Paul L

What is the torque on that nut to need a breaker bar?

Frankenvette

Purchased the socket at autozone and it is a 12 point 3/4" socket. Had to also buy the adapter to drop it down to 1/2". I guess this is one of those one time use tools unless there is something else on the vette that uses this size nut.

scottyp99

Is this some kind of joke? Are you seriously posting on an internet forum asking what size a certain nut is, and then waiting around for someone to answer, instead of just measuring it? That is hilarious!!! LOL!!!


Scott

Frankenvette

Scott,

I'm so glad I can provide entertainment for you.

Paul L

My car is stored late October to April. I do not have access to it. The question posed makes sense to me in planning spring mechanical work.

scottyp99

He went out and bought the tool the very next day. That doesn't sound consistent with someone who is planning spring maintenance.

The other thing I find kind of humorous about this situation is going out to buy one, single socket. The OP probably has a decent set of sockets that go up to 1 1/4", and normally, you would think the best thing would be to buy a set of large sockets, but a set of large sockets can be pretty pricey for something that will rarely be used. It's a bitch, ain't it?


Scott

MalibuVLX

Getting the retainer nut off is not USUALLY the issue. I have seen pitman arms that do not want to give. One other note, and I know you didn't ask, but once you tighten down the puller pretty good and tight, wack the hell out of the end of it w/ a hammer and many times the jolt is enough to break it loose. If you continue to tighten the puller, that usually breaks one of the ears off and then you have to go get another one and hope that one does not break too. I like the foil trick.

tracdogg2

What do you think thats doing to the adjuster screw and aluminum cover?

Frankenvette

That's what I did and after wacking and then tightening a little more on the puller the pitman arm simply released. Now I can get the borgeson box installed.

billcarson

yes i agree with tracdogg2 on this one.many light taps with a sfh.

MalibuVLX

Well, light taps might do too, but a few hits on my puller and they come off every time. If you are asking me what it does to the adj screw and alum housing, I have removed about 15 arms off mud bogg trucks, rockcrawlers, old Camaros, corvettes and used the same puller. Never had any issues. My puller is also warrantied for life. I broke one the very first time by over tightening it. The older guys at the parts store told be about the hammer deal and never looked back. There is always more than one way to skin the cat, I guess.