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Anybody seen this before? The pitman are hasnt budged, and the pitman arm puller is bending
At what point do I just buy another pitman arm and install it with the new steering box. Would it be hard to line everything back up? I doused it with more PB blaster… hoping I hear a BANG in the next few hours.
a few swift hits with a hammer while there is pressure from the puller usually gets them, i hit the side of the pitman arm or the snout of the puller.
Oh i’ve been bangin on it. Just thought i’d take a break and write this post. Ive hit the black part with a rag and socket over it so it doesnt mushroom, and Ive hit the silver areas. This thing isnt budging. My only solution I can think of is to hit it harder, i’ll give it a try after lunch
If you have access to an acetylene torch, CAREFULLY apply some heat to the periphery of the arm surrounding the shaft. Do NOT attempt to get it red hot you will destroy the metallurgical properties (and strength) of the arm. I’ve applied heat, quenched, reapplied heat a few times to free them up.
hit the side of the pitman arm itself between the 2 jaws HARD with a 1 lb hammer. heaver is too slow. i always get tie rods ends etc that way without even using a puller.
If you have access to an acetylene torch, CAREFULLY apply some heat to the periphery of the arm surrounding the shaft. Do NOT attempt to get it red hot you will destroy the metallurgical properties (and strength) of the arm. I’ve applied heat, quenched, reapplied heat a few times to free them up.
I got a propane torch for christmas. Its still in the box havnt had to use it yet, time to open her up
Those pullers, made for pitman arms, are not the best. I broke a couple years ago until I changed to a much better and expensive puller. The splines are tapered and the nut should be about 140-150 ft/lb so many times they won't pop off but so far I have removed 100's of them without damage. You can try the propane but why are you removing the arm in the first place?- check that just saw you bought a new box? You better check it good before installing it, just to be sure it's right. Many are not.
I wouldn't put any heat to it. You'll remove the temper from the arm and melt the steering box seal.
Looks like a cheap puller. Get another one for $12 at HF (maybe get two). Sometimes ya have to grind the jaws down so they'll fit better. Put it under stress and if you can, get two ball pien hammers on it (striking at the same time).
I would not use the propane. The acetylene allows you to concentrate the heat on the arm (and not the shaft) in a local area (the bottom side) avoiding the potential for damaging the seal. The propane flame is too large.
Why is everyone worried about his seal? He's changing out the box!
Looks like a really cheap puller to me as well.
Get a good one. Good tools make all the difference.
These cars have been together for 45-50 years or more.
Serious tools are needed.
Sounds like a tough one but I would try the 2 hammers at the same time trick. Bang on it with 2 good sized hammers at the same time. Give it a shot. You've got nothing to lose. I have seen that work so what the heck.
I'd try that and then I'd say screw it and use the oxy-acetylene torch-----
Some pullers are just a little too wide for some pitman arms. That puller (in the pic) wasn't well-fitted for that pitman arm. That or maybe it was positioned slightly off-kilter from the start. You should be able to get it off. Steering boxes get oily and greasy. Unless it's rusted on, age isn't what makes it hard to get off. I've removed new ones (back in the day that were a bugger to remove). Try again with a different, preferably better (better fitting too) puller.
The problem with a propane torch is it's going to take SO much time to get any meaningful heat on the pitman arm, durring that long ramp-up, the heat you are applying will get soaked up by the shaft (in the steering box). It would take forever to get it hot enough to matter.
Those pullers, made for pitman arms, are not the best. I broke a couple years ago until I changed to a much better and expensive puller. The splines are tapered and the nut should be about 140-150 ft/lb so many times they won't pop off but so far I have removed 100's of them without damage. You can try the propane but why are you removing the arm in the first place?- check that just saw you bought a new box? You better check it good before installing it, just to be sure it's right. Many are not.
By checking it do you mean just checking it for play? Or opening it up. I had gathered a couple parts as I was collecting them to do an entire front end rebuild.
Got the box from a mechanic friend of mine who never used it. Brand new from a few years ago bought off zipcorvette. The current box has an insane amount of play, almost 9 to 3 on the steering wheel without the tires moving.
Last edited by Cmurray79; Apr 3, 2022 at 03:42 PM.
Some pullers are just a little too wide for some pitman arms. That puller (in the pic) wasn't well-fitted for that pitman arm. That or maybe it was positioned slightly off-kilter from the start. You should be able to get it off. Steering boxes get oily and greasy. Unless it's rusted on, age isn't what makes it hard to get off. I've removed new ones (back in the day that were a bugger to remove). Try again with a different, preferably better (better fitting too) puller.
The problem with a propane torch is it's going to take SO much time to get any meaningful heat on the pitman arm, durring that long ramp-up, the heat you are applying will get soaked up by the shaft (in the steering box). It would take forever to get it hot enough to matter.
The current box has an insane amount of play, almost 9 to 3 on the steering wheel without the tires moving.
That is a LOT of freeplay!! LOL. Yeah change the box. I bet if you took it apart you'd find the input bearing is toast. Excessive wear on the output shaft bushing. And other adjustments way out of spec. Those are all easy to resolve. The steering boxes on these Vettes are pretty simple.
That is a LOT of freeplay!! LOL. Yeah change the box. I bet if you took it apart you'd find the input bearing is toast. Excessive wear on the output shaft bushing. And other adjustments way out of spec. Those are all easy to resolve. The steering boxes on these Vettes are pretty simple.
But if you have a spare...put er on!
Yeah it had a little bit of play when I bought it last year, didnt really seem bad until this last month it seemed like everyday it was getting worse. Drove it onthe freeway one day and decided its time. It was probably time 3 months ago.
Pitman Arm Pain
