I have a 99 supercab 4x4 with a 155,000 miles on it. I have replaced everything in the front end. All the tie rods, upper and lower ball joints, stabilizer links, idler arm, and shocks. The only thing I haven't changed is the pitman arm. I figured I mine as well replace it since everything else is new. I picked up a pitman arm puller from Autozone but it doesn't work. The puller fits over the arm but the "puller screw" doesn't line up. The frame is in the way. I tried everything I could think of to get the puller to work but there just isn't enough clearance.

How do I get it off without damaging the steering box???

 

This is the basic one http://www.lislecorp.com/tool_detail.cfm?detail=676

If that will not fit, you might have to buy a very expensive snap on or matco version. However, the pitman are is not a wear item and unless you have had an accident there isn't much need to replace it.

 

oh, I forgot to say, you can unbolt the gear box and use the puller while it's off or just resting on the frame.

 

That looks just like the one I got from Autozone.

The pitman arm isn't a wear item? It has a ball joint type fitting that connects to the center link. I assumed that could wear. I alread got the new pitman arm so at this point I would like to get it installed. If it is too much work then I will try to return it.

Is it ok to unbolt the steering box from the frame without removing anything else? Like the steering column, pressure lines, etc? If I can unbolt it and move it over a bit then there should be enough clearance for the puller screw to clear the frame.

 

The tierod joint should be in the drag link. The pitman arm is supposed to be a cast, almost S shaped linkage with one hole tapered for a tierod end and the other splined for the gear box.

Yes, just don't let the gear box fall, but you can loosen it up and move it over for clearance.

 

the pitman arm will be on there tight. I broke 2 3-jawed pitman arms tryin to pull mine off one time, ended up needing to borrow one of the big pullers. Put the puller on the arm, put an impact on the bottom of it, and while gunning the impact, use a hammer to hit(not beat the hell out of) the top of the pitman arm next to the the puller. This will usually free them up. You can also use a torch to heat the pitman arm up if it's a major issue, but look into rebuilding the seals in your steering box if you are forced to go that way.