Pickle fork vs. Pitman arm
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 469
From: Wichita Kansas
Pickle fork vs. Pitman arm
Just want to get prepared. What exactly makes that arm so difficult to get off the control valve? Is it that some of these cars are 35 plus years old, or is there a ton of pressure on that arm and when the pickle fork gets it loose it goes boing to parts unknown? I need to replace my control valve so I want to do this safely. Thanks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
It is a tapered ball stud, like the tie rod ends. It's a pressure fit. A pickle fork will work but it was rip the rubber boot. A small 2 jaw puller or one of those lever type pullers should work without damaging the boot.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
It's hard because almost nothing easily -or at all- fits in there to get the stud out of the pitman arm. I have the OTC kit in the picture. I had to use the balljoint tool (far right tool. Yes, the one that looks like a giant cloths pin) and some precise steering location. A couple turns of the jackscrew and it popped right off.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
i just replaced the relay rod and needed to pop it of pitman arm, tie rod ends, idler arm, power steering cylinder - - in years gone by i used to do that sort of thing with pickle forks - they are awkward and destroy stuff (at least everything rubber) - - then i discovered pullers - they do the trick - precise, clean, fast - no guessing - - forget about forks - get you a tie rod end puller ($13 at auto zone) that'll work on getting the control valve stud of the corvette pitman arm - now getting the control valve of the relay rod and another one back on while in the car is another rod bending task - almost best to do it on a bench. - have fun.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Fla
I used the tie rod & pitman arm puller for compact cars by OEM. Part # 25297. It is a very tight fit in there, but there is a sweet spot by turning the wheel just enough to get you hands and tool on to pop it loose by turning the screw.
Last edited by reelthing; Feb 27, 2009 at 05:55 PM. Reason: pic not working
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 469
From: Wichita Kansas
[QUOTE=reelthing;1569109932]I used the tie rod & pitman arm puller for compact cars by OEM. Part # 25297. It is a very tight fit in there, but there is a sweet spot by turning the wheel just enough to get you hands and tool on to pop it loose by turning the screw.
Outstanding! I think I can get this tool down at AutoZone. One more question, should the car be up on jacks? Thanks
Outstanding! I think I can get this tool down at AutoZone. One more question, should the car be up on jacks? Thanks
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