Pitman Arm Dilema
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 2
From: North Port, Florida
very nice. There was also talk about maybe needing new lines. I took a peak at mine yesterday between thunderstorms, and one of mine looked questionable. Does anyone have part numbers for the lines, and are they dealer items?
Also did I see somewhere that we are supposed to have the cores back within 60 days?
thanks
Also did I see somewhere that we are supposed to have the cores back within 60 days?
thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 0
From: Yuba City, CA.
All's well that ends well. Soaked overnight in PB Blaster (pool of lube was gone this morning so it had to have soaked in) Put puller on and torqued up with impact wrench until puller screw would not turn anymore, put on ground, got biggest hammer I could find and played golf with it. When I finally hit it (I suck at golf) one part became two and I went to assembly mode. All that's left is a test drive across Texas in about 30 min.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 2
From: North Port, Florida
Alright I went and bought the hoses so I have them on had. I am going to try and tackle this job today (finally). so does anyone have any more tips or tricks? Where did you all find a puller for the pitman arm?
thanks
thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 822
Likes: 9
From: Leander Texas
Pop the drag link off first, then pull the box, then you can go to work on that pitman. Putting good pressure on the pitman with a puller and then giving it some strategic whacks has always worked for me. Of course we are pretty rust free down here.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 2
From: North Port, Florida
Yeah I got it that far, guess I am just not strategic enough. I have some PB soaking in right now with the puller on it with pressure. hopefully it will let loose after lunch.
Worse case O'r will have a new one for me in the morning. To bad I need the truck in the morning. So will have to put the old back on and take back off when I get some more time. Redhead may be getting my old arm along with my core.
Worse case O'r will have a new one for me in the morning. To bad I need the truck in the morning. So will have to put the old back on and take back off when I get some more time. Redhead may be getting my old arm along with my core.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 2
From: North Port, Florida
Alright after a little while with some parts blaster a cheap puller from Oriely ($14 and change well worth itsaid it was a rental, but for that price I am keeping it), and a few "Strategic Whacks" (Izzy) with Snap on Dead blow ball peen and it came loose. It is working fine but I think I am about a half turn off steering wheel makes a funny sound at the far left turn position. Probably just need to take the pitman back off and move it 8 or 16.
Thanks to all.
Joe
Thanks to all.
Joe
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
You don't need to re set the pitman arm to center the steering wheel, you just crank on the drag link coupling.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 2
From: North Port, Florida
centering dont realy bother me. It is just about perfect for resting your arm on the door rest and hanging a finger in the bend.
It just seems like the wheel turn a little to far left and makes a funny noise at that point.
It just seems like the wheel turn a little to far left and makes a funny noise at that point.
New User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Jumped in on the Red head group buy and told sales guy I had no idea on number of splines. He told me it should be 36 with my make and model. Got the box in and couldn't get my pitman arm off my old box. Got a new 36 spline pitman arm from AZ but it was an inch shorter than my old arm measuring center to center. So I figured I had a 32 spline unit. I ordered and picked up a new 32 spline steering gear (was going to return Red Head's unit) and pitman arm but it was, again, 1 inch shorter than the stock arm. Now I don't know what the hell to do. Frustration setting in.
New User
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Pittman too short 2002Form F250 super duty
Jumped in on the Red head group buy and told sales guy I had no idea on number of splines. He told me it should be 36 with my make and model. Got the box in and couldn't get my pitman arm off my old box. Got a new 36 spline pitman arm from AZ but it was an inch shorter than my old arm measuring center to center. So I figured I had a 32 spline unit. I ordered and picked up a new 32 spline steering gear (was going to return Red Head's unit) and pitman arm but it was, again, 1 inch shorter than the stock arm. Now I don't know what the hell to do. Frustration setting in.
New User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: San Diego ca
Loose pitman arm
I have a 2002 f250. 7.3 liter powerstroke turbo desiel 4x4 with a 6" lift steering has been real loose lately I was coming back from Vegas going 60 70 miles an hour and if I hit a bump it would take me into the next Lane pulled over and checked underneath and the nut on the pitman arm was loose wondering if there is a difference in 32 and 36 splines changes gear box girlfriend was driving the truck over a bridge and it's during which to where I had to change the gearbox cuz the bolts that adjust leaked all the fluid leaked out tore my girlfriend had to keep stopping and putting fluid into the power steering when I got home I took check the gearbox and noticed that it was leaking by the screws that adjusted I got an aftermarket gear box and installed it but not to hip with the suspension an worendering if you might have any suggestions
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,812
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
First thing that comes to mind is bad ball joints. They wear out with some regularity on these trucks. Could also be bad hubs. Jack up the front and yank the tires around with your hands at 12 and 6. Do the same yanking with hands at 9 and 3. If it's loose at all positions it's probably the hubs, but if loose only at 12 and 6 that's likely ball joints. A handy shade tree mechanic can do both jobs at home with a few tools and some research.
The steering pump takes ATF on these, not power steering fluid.
The steering pump takes ATF on these, not power steering fluid.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,111
Likes: 4,716
From: Henderson, NV
@William gagen If the nut holding the pitman arm on the steering gear was loose, the splines are probably damaged. You will need to replace the steering gear and the pitman arm. It is important that the steering gear's output shaft and the pitman arm have the same spline count. Whether it is 32 or 36, both need to be the same. There is only one allen screw with a jam nut on top of the steering gear to adjust. What screws are you referring to that were leaking?
Another way to check your tie rod ends is with channel locks.
Another way to check your tie rod ends is with channel locks.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MIKEDENGINEER
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
May 9, 2014 07:50 PM
DGMFORD
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Jul 24, 2010 10:48 PM
mrdavidkendall
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
5
Dec 29, 2004 05:46 PM
