Pitman arm won't come off
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
Pitman arm won't come off
I am replacing my steering box while doing my exhaust upgrade. The nut and washer came off easy.
The pitman arm will not come off the box. I have hit it with PB blaster, a 3lb sledge, a torch and a pitman arm puller. I even tried some of that freezing thread penetrant.
I heated it with a propane torch for about 30 minutes this morning. I then hit both sides with two hammers, trying to quickly deform the arm where it went around the splines. No good.
I used the Harbor Freight pitman/balljoint puller too. The one with forged fingers and a bolt. With the first one I sheared the threads off the bolt. With the second, I have used it to apply moderate pressure on the arm while I hit it with the torch. No good.
Today I will take it to a local shop to see if they can get it off. They have a press setup and bigger hotter torches than I have.
I've read stories on the forum about guys removing the arm while the box still on the car. If you have done this, consider yourself lucky. My box will not give up the arm so easily. I'm not beat yet though.
I will let you know how it goes.
John
The pitman arm will not come off the box. I have hit it with PB blaster, a 3lb sledge, a torch and a pitman arm puller. I even tried some of that freezing thread penetrant.
I heated it with a propane torch for about 30 minutes this morning. I then hit both sides with two hammers, trying to quickly deform the arm where it went around the splines. No good.
I used the Harbor Freight pitman/balljoint puller too. The one with forged fingers and a bolt. With the first one I sheared the threads off the bolt. With the second, I have used it to apply moderate pressure on the arm while I hit it with the torch. No good.
Today I will take it to a local shop to see if they can get it off. They have a press setup and bigger hotter torches than I have.
I've read stories on the forum about guys removing the arm while the box still on the car. If you have done this, consider yourself lucky. My box will not give up the arm so easily. I'm not beat yet though.
I will let you know how it goes.
John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I agree, the arm in on tight.
I removed the box and arm together and took it to my favorite Corvette shop.
He used a snap on puller and had it off in seconds.
I removed the box and arm together and took it to my favorite Corvette shop.
He used a snap on puller and had it off in seconds.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
I am hopeful my shop can help today.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
). Worked just fine. A shot of PBlaster was added about 20 minutes prior to the torch.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i used a puller and oxy/acteylene heat and it took alot of heat and a lot of torque....it actually scared me torqueing on a cherry red pitman arm that was clamped in a vise....way too many things to go wrong
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Melting Slicks
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From: Thunder Bay
Team Owner
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
and like this:
and neither would work.
No problem now though. The arm is off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 1,559
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Now you tell me!
As you and I both found out, those don't work!
It needs a Pittman arm puller. LOL
It needs a Pittman arm puller. LOL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
I broke a Pitman Arm puller on my jeep. I bought a new puller and used the Oxy-Acetylene torch. That's why I used the Oxy-Acetylene torch on the vette when the puller alone wasn't getting it done. I was afraid the new puller was going to break too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Pitman arms are a bear, and got mine off with the largest puller the rental shop had. Don't recall having to use any heat, but lot's of hammering involved. The shown pic's look like a ball joint seperator, and not sure of the second, but you'll be needing a much larger one here. I do have a small Oxy/Acetylene torch set, that comes in handy for lots of things, but maybe jumping ahead a little. I'd try a much larger puller first.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
I used the black puller above. I am now cleaning all those parts. A huge box arrived yesterday with box, valve, cylinder and coupler.
Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 581
Likes: 5
From: BC
You are never supposed to use heat on frt end parts. You risk making them brittle and subject to breakage. I've never seen it happen, but that's what you're taught in trade school. A proper puller is what it takes.
Steve g
Steve g
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
Thanks for the tip Steve. I never got it glowing red, so I guess it will be ok.