Panama 58

Guys, as you can see from my before and after pictures below, I have been busy removing 53 year old undercoating on my '64 original ps unit. Upon closer inspection I see the rubber boot at the base of the pitman arm shaft is split. I have never taken one of these things apart before, but I do know you have to have the correct angle of the pickle fork, or use a pitman arm removal tool. Can someone tell me what the purpose of the boot is and if it is critical that I replace it right now? Does it just keep dirt and debris out of there? The boot has about a half of inch tear, but otherwise in tact. Seems to be working fine. Sorry couldn't get a good pic of the boot itself. Thanks.

JohnZ

Can't tell from the photos, but here are a couple I took when I rebuilt mine 18 years ago - the original boot was pretty much long-gone, and I used the new boot that came in the valve rebuild kit. I painted the valve before installing it, so the shiny clamp on the boot doesn't show up real well.

Panama 58

So pretty much, cotter pin out, castle nut off pop off pitman arm, take off the "shiny clamp", take off old boot, put new boot on and reverse process. Would probably go for a new "shiny clamp" as well. Is it just for dirt and debris?

tbarb

It's purpose is to keep dirt out and retain the grease inside the ball stud. Don't use the fork, get a removal tool and pop the stud from the Pittman arm hole.

Hopefully someone will post a picture of the tool.

JohnZ

I use a short-legged pitman arm puller so nothing is damaged on removal.