Pitman Arm Removal
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
Pitman Arm Removal
I am having trouble trying to remove the pitman arm on my '57. Hard to tell from the picture, but the gap between the arm and the steering box isn't much more than 1/8". I can't get the jaws of the pitman arm puller to even begin to slide in there, as they are darn near 1/4" thick. I tried a tie rod end puller, but that can't seat far enough in to get lined up with the steering shaft. I'm assuming that a pickle fork would be a bad idea as it might cause some major damage to the inerds of the box. Anyone have any tricks or ideas?
Rich
Rich
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 8
I modified my OTC pitman arm puller with the grinder. Just grind the jaws and tap it in with a brass hammer. Then you just place a little tension on the puller them smack the pitman arm with a hammer lightly like driving a 16 d nail in a board with a dead blow.
Mac
Mac
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,504
Likes: 813
From: East Central Florida
I would do this......
Turn the wheel off center to get the worm to sector lash at it's normal "looser" position. It may give you a little more room if the box gears are worn.
If that's not enough, try this, but you'll have to reset it afterwards. Loosen the locknut on the lash adjuster bolt(opposite side facing the left). Turn the lash screw CW to push the sector shaft further out. Just don't push too far or turn the wheel back to center or you may damage the sector roller or worm gear. This may give you more room for the puller. Smack the side of the arm as mentioned and it should pop off.
After this you'll have to reset the lash adjustment again, but by the looks of it you should probably totally rebuild the steering box.
Rich
Turn the wheel off center to get the worm to sector lash at it's normal "looser" position. It may give you a little more room if the box gears are worn.
If that's not enough, try this, but you'll have to reset it afterwards. Loosen the locknut on the lash adjuster bolt(opposite side facing the left). Turn the lash screw CW to push the sector shaft further out. Just don't push too far or turn the wheel back to center or you may damage the sector roller or worm gear. This may give you more room for the puller. Smack the side of the arm as mentioned and it should pop off.
After this you'll have to reset the lash adjustment again, but by the looks of it you should probably totally rebuild the steering box.
Rich
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
Success! Thanks for the tips. I had to grind down the puller jaws (first I had to buy a puller- didn't think they'd appreciate me grinding down the rental tool) even after loosening the lock nut and turning the adjusting screw. Put some tension on the puller, whacked the arm with a hammer, and after tightening a little more, it popped off.
