BarryB72

I need to pull out my loaner steering box so I can install my original box rebuilt by Gary R.

I must have got lucky the first time because when I took the original out the pitman arm came off the control valve easily.

My loaner however is on tight and it appears I need to use a tool to separate the arm from the valve.

After reading old forum posts it appears that this



can be used in this manner



to separate them but it's clear the power steering lines need removed to get clearance.

Has anyone that has used this tool for this job?

If so could you share your experience?

Did it tear the boot?

Finally, how much fluid would I stand to lose disconnecting those lines?

I found Jim Shea's recommendation to raise the front and do 2 dozen lock to lock turns with car off to bleed the system but just wondering how much fluid I'll need to buy......

If I don't just let the mechanic I'm going have do the alignment just do it all.

C3TPI

Have you tried just giving it a solid whack with a BFH? That always works for me and you won't damage anything. Just hit the pitman arm where the stud goes through. Those Harbor Freight tools all have very soft threads and strip out most of the time.

BarryB72

The BFH hit my LFthumb last night.

This tool worked. Just had to loosen one line and swing it to the left to get clearance.

Took maybe 2 minutes.

C3TPI

Yeh, you've got to be careful where you aim that thing. Which tool worked; the BFH or the other one?

BarryB72

The ball joint separator.

Because you wedge it in any way you can and you don't have to think about clearance, striking distance,etc.

As long as you can get a socket on the bolt you're done. No damage to the boot either.

C3TPI

Glad it worked for you. I have tried using those things on old ball joints with no success.

BarryB72

To be fair, that pitman arm was only on there for about 3 weeks so it only took a few turns of the bolt to pop it