How do you replace the pitman arm & idler arm in a 1999 Ford F-250? I've reaced the upper control arms, lower control arm bushings, tie rod ends, rotor, brake pads and brake calipers this week. Now I need to finish these other parts and I'll have basically a whole new front end. Thanks for all your help.

 

The pitman arm's are made of a solid piece of metal and would only need replacement if the splines in the steering box are damaged. Unless your vehicle turns drastically to one direction more so than the other you do not have the damaged required to change those pieces out.

You could remove the Pitman arm, sand it down and re-paint it to make it appear new, but you really don't need to buy one. The are made from a harder metal than its connecting points otherwise it could snap and render the entire vehicle inoperable.

This is all to the best of my knowledge (intermediate shade tree). Unless you can see visible fractures, or the splines are twisted you shouldn't need replacing.

As far as replacing the idler arm:
-Jack it up (safely)
-Remove Cotter Pin from Upper & Lower Nut
-Place pickle fork between Idler arm & Tie Rod and hit to separate
-Remove the two bolts holding the arm to the frame
-Install in reverse order

Be sure to add Loctite to bolts & grease your fittings.

(if anyone finds a flaw or a missed step please correct me)

 

Thank you for the info.! That is better then what I expected to hear. So if the grease boot at the pitman is torn or dry rotted I should have no worries? I'm feeling play when the wheel is jacked up only side to side. I can see it moving in the ball & socket connection where the long bar in the middle connects to the lower control arm. Not sure if I know the proper name for it.

 

The side to side play sounds like the tie rods.(have you replaced these yet?) The long piece you are talking about is called a centerlink.

Also while you are under the truck and in the wheel wells check the shocks. They can make a big difference and. If you replace the shocks spring for quality boots, they make a difference for protection.

Also you should finish the front end work with an alignment even if you can't feel anything.

 

Are the tie rods connected to the center link? If so those I definitely need to change.