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power to standard steer conversion problem

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Old Feb 7, 2010 | 04:27 PM
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Default power to standard steer conversion problem

Hello,
Back again with a problem now that I have decided to convert back to standard steer.
I have disconnected all from the control valve, removed the bolt, clamping it to the relay rod (?), which it is screwed onto.
I cannot break the control valve loose from the pitman arm. Am I missing something?
If I'm missing something, I hope it's easy.
Thanks,
pb
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Old Feb 7, 2010 | 04:43 PM
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Default take 2 hammers and .........

...simultaneously knock on each side of the pitman arm where the "pin" goes thru the arm, after a couple of knocks it should drop right out.
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 10:34 AM
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From: Raymond NH
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Originally Posted by carriljc
...simultaneously knock on each side of the pitman arm where the "pin" goes thru the arm, after a couple of knocks it should drop right out.
Really??? It seems too easy. I'll try it as soon as it gets warmer in the garage. Will let you know.
pb
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 11:13 AM
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Drive a chisel between where the bolt clamped the valve on to the relay rod spreading the threads. Should unscrew by hand.
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 11:56 AM
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From: Raymond NH
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Originally Posted by carriljc
...simultaneously knock on each side of the pitman arm where the "pin" goes thru the arm, after a couple of knocks it should drop right out.
Just took a look at it. Not much space to swing a hammer from the inboard side, but will give it a try.
pb
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 01:23 PM
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From: Raymond NH
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Originally Posted by carriljc
...simultaneously knock on each side of the pitman arm where the "pin" goes thru the arm, after a couple of knocks it should drop right out.
Okay,
I gave it a try. No go. Problem is that just 2 months shy of 75, and 150 lbs, my hammering ability ain't what it usta be.
Keeping in mind that these two metal parts have been together for 38 years, they might be stuck.
I'm going to try heating it and getting a BIG hammer. If that doesn't work, I've got to find a BIG, strong friend. Some of the Bubba-lite might work.
I'll let you know.
pb
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 01:32 PM
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OK, I just figured out what you are trying to do. Put a pry bar between the valve and pitman arm to put pressure on the balljoint. Remove the tire so you can get a swing at the pitman arm and use a long punch if you have one. Smack the pitman arm where the balljoint goes in to it and it will distort the hole enough that that ball joint will pop out.
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Mastr Fab
OK, I just figured out what you are trying to do. Put a pry bar between the valve and pitman arm to put pressure on the balljoint. Remove the tire so you can get a swing at the pitman arm and use a long punch if you have one. Smack the pitman arm where the balljoint goes in to it and it will distort the hole enough that that ball joint will pop out.
Tried that, now I'm trying to upload a photo, but forgot how to do it.
pb
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 03:15 PM
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QUOTE=Mastr Fab;1573029140]OK, I just figured out what you are trying to do. Put a pry bar between the valve and pitman arm to put pressure on the balljoint. Remove the tire so you can get a swing at the pitman arm and use a long punch if you have one. Smack the pitman arm where the balljoint goes in to it and it will distort the hole enough that that ball joint will pop out.[/QUOTE]

[IMG][/IMG]

Don't know if this will work or not. But you can see where I have the pry bar. Does it all look familiar?
pb
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 03:42 PM
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you may need a "pickle fork" in there to pry on both sides as you smack it with a hammer or find a way to hold a hammer on one side of the pittman arm as you dead blow the other side with a bfh....this is the usual way...good luck....
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 03:47 PM
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You can borrow one at most auto stores.
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 03:50 PM
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Looks like this.
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 04:01 PM
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Ah-HA!
Special tool! My mother told there'd be days like this.
I really appreciate the advice, guys.
pb
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 04:11 PM
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send us a beer after you get it off..btw the control valve screws onto the center link....
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by midyearvette
you may need a "pickle fork" in there to pry on both sides as you smack it with a hammer or find a way to hold a hammer on one side of the pittman arm as you dead blow the other side with a bfh....this is the usual way...good luck....
A pickle fork attachment for an air powered impact hammer often just works like magic with suspension parts. A few times, being too lazy to turn on the air compressor, get the impact hammer, etc, I've grabbed a big hammer and hand held pickle fork and got nowhere. When I did get my air powered hammer out, it just fell apart.

I think if you're going to do any work on suspension stuff, you just need air powered tools. Impact hammers and impact wrenches. The powerful jarring helps break up rust-welded parts. Plus also, using a hand tool to get up to 150 ft-lbs of torque often means you're going to knurl the nut or bolt head and also injure youself if the wrench slips loose off the nut/bolt. Impact wrenches don't seem as prone to knurl nuts/bolts as hand tools. But when an air tool knurls a nut/bolt it does do a really GOOD job! Good air compressors aren't that expensive and neither are the tools.
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 04:52 PM
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From: Raymond NH
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Success!!!
Drove down to the local Advance Auto Parts, and found the pickle fork, aka ball joint separator, for 10 bucks. Banged it in tight, hit the handle downward. Life is good.
Thanks for the hint about the impact tools. I do have a set.
Once more, thanks for all the help. I hope one of these days a question will come up that I can answer. As to beers, as soon as I shut this computer off, I'll raise one to all of you.
pb
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by paulebrown
QUOTE=Mastr Fab;1573029140]OK, I just figured out what you are trying to do. Put a pry bar between the valve and pitman arm to put pressure on the balljoint. Remove the tire so you can get a swing at the pitman arm and use a long punch if you have one. Smack the pitman arm where the balljoint goes in to it and it will distort the hole enough that that ball joint will pop out.
[IMG][/IMG]

Don't know if this will work or not. But you can see where I have the pry bar. Does it all look familiar?
pb[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by paulebrown
Success!!!
Drove down to the local Advance Auto Parts, and found the pickle fork, aka ball joint separator, for 10 bucks. Banged it in tight, hit the handle downward. Life is good.
Thanks for the hint about the impact tools. I do have a set.
Once more, thanks for all the help. I hope one of these days a question will come up that I can answer. As to beers, as soon as I shut this computer off, I'll raise one to all of you.
pb
Reply

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