What size socket to remove pitman arm nut?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: What size socket to remove pitman arm nut? (Brettmc)
I didn't have a socket big enough, so I just used a big crescent wrench to get that nut off. I believe I used a puller to get the arm off.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
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From: St Louis MO
Re: What size socket to remove pitman arm nut? (Eddie 70)
My plus-size sockets: 1 1/16, 1 1/8, 1 3/16...the last one was almost big enuff. Might hafta get a plus-size cresent. Thanks!
Brett :thumbs:
Brett :thumbs:
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: What size socket to remove pitman arm nut? (Brettmc)
I don't know th size of the socket but I have up to 1 1/2 and one of them fit. You definitely need a puller. That arm is on tight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
Re: What size socket to remove pitman arm nut? (Brettmc)
It's 1 5/16" I think. Bought a 1" drive socket & drive adaptor at Sears when I removed mine. I'll check the size tonight. Pitman arm puller is a must. I got that at Autozone's tool loaner program. You buy the tool & when returned the refund the cost in full
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Re: What size socket to remove pitman arm nut? (70BBvert)
I'll prolly just buy the puller if it's not real expensive. I don't mind buying tools, even to use one time.
Brett :thumbs:
Brett :thumbs:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Sherwood Park AB
Re: What size socket to remove pitman arm nut? (Brettmc)
I don't know the size, but I bought an adjustable pitman arm puller a while back. I have successfully used it for my tie rods and ball joints, and I know it will fit the pitman arm. I think it was about $30 Cdn from Princess Auto (I think it's a Canadian store.) :cheers:
http://www.princessauto.com/PAcountr...Y=CAN&INF=home
http://www.princessauto.com/PAcountr...Y=CAN&INF=home
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
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but they had a 33mm socket 1/2 drive. PERFECT FIT! Using a 5 inch extension I wrenched it on there. YAY all put back together. I did respond to a specific post but really this is for everyone's information. Also, there are two bolts on the rag joint that are 7/16 12 point, look out for that too. I have a '76 so don't know how much something like that changes. Any way happy wrench turning!
Last edited by BillyGags; May 29, 2016 at 11:35 AM. Reason: Spelling
Race Director
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From: WI
So when I was doing work to my '76 I ran into the same pitman arm issue everybody here is talking about. I got the puller from the auto parts store no problem there. But when I went to put it back on the new headers made it impossible to use a big adjustable. So back to the store I go, with nut in hand. No SAE sizes fit right. I was like really... it's metric but they had a 33mm socket 1/2 drive. PERFECT FIT! Using a 5 inch extension I wrenched it on there. YAY all put back together. I did respond to a specific post but really this is for everyone's information. Also, there are two bolts on the rag joint that are 7/16 12 point, look out for that too. I have a '76 so don't know how much something like that changes. Any way happy wrench turning!
but they had a 33mm socket 1/2 drive. PERFECT FIT! Using a 5 inch extension I wrenched it on there. YAY all put back together. I did respond to a specific post but really this is for everyone's information. Also, there are two bolts on the rag joint that are 7/16 12 point, look out for that too. I have a '76 so don't know how much something like that changes. Any way happy wrench turning!you are posting to a 13 year old thread
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Virginia
Is this thread 1 year old, or 15 years old? I don't care.
Thanks to this thread, I was able to make one trip to Sears, and get just the size socket (and 1/2" to 3/4" adaptor) that I needed. (FWIW, I bought the only one they had, which was one more than Harbor Freight had. Perhaps an auto parts store would have worked, too).
Yes, it is a 1 5/16" socket that is required. The puller worked, first try (with a bit of tapping with a hammer). So, to the next person contemplating this job, go ahead and buy the socket and puller now, or order them online, and save yourself a trip to the mall.
Thanks to this thread, I was able to make one trip to Sears, and get just the size socket (and 1/2" to 3/4" adaptor) that I needed. (FWIW, I bought the only one they had, which was one more than Harbor Freight had. Perhaps an auto parts store would have worked, too).
Yes, it is a 1 5/16" socket that is required. The puller worked, first try (with a bit of tapping with a hammer). So, to the next person contemplating this job, go ahead and buy the socket and puller now, or order them online, and save yourself a trip to the mall.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
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From: Lubbock TX
I have broken more than my share of pitman arm removal tools. Sometimes those puppies are STUCK!
I use an angle grinder with a thin cutoff wheel. Cut as far through the big end as you can, then slip a thin chisel in the cut and whack it pretty good with a hammer to split it all the way through to the shaft. Once the end is split, it comes right off.
I started putting milk of magnesia (anti-sieze) on them when I install the new ones. I guess we'll see if it helps...if I ever have those same ones go out again...
I use an angle grinder with a thin cutoff wheel. Cut as far through the big end as you can, then slip a thin chisel in the cut and whack it pretty good with a hammer to split it all the way through to the shaft. Once the end is split, it comes right off.
I started putting milk of magnesia (anti-sieze) on them when I install the new ones. I guess we'll see if it helps...if I ever have those same ones go out again...
