Im looking for some advice on how to get this stuck pitman arm off. Truck is a 03 with under 10K on it, and everything was going smooth until this. I Actually let the truck sit over the weekend with some PB blast on the pitman, hoping that would help....nothing.
The current pitman tool I am using is adjustable to certain widths (jc whitney) and slips, slightly twists off with no movement on the pitman. Im stuck...its stuck

Any advice or tips from anyone. With a 6" lift, I know I need this on there, but I am out of ideas....

Mike-

 

when i did the lift on my bronco i had to use a puller that has a bolt with a wing nut on either side of the arms so you could tighten the claw around the arm and it would not slip off. i will see if i can find a picture of one and post a link

here you go, this is like the one i have. for some the hyperlink wont work so here is the website
www.completeoffroad.com/products/i-440.html

 

put some heat on that sucker and use a big hammer...

 

I had the same problem installing the lift on my '04, and went to Autozone and then Pep Boy's to get the puller. Both places have tool loan programs. All you have to do is leave a deposit for the tool and it's returned (it may take a few days to re-credit your card), when you return the tool. Make sure that the puller they give you is the right size. Autozone gave me a puller for a car. Pep Boy's loaned me an entire puller set. Good look. Of all the things I had to do for the lift this was by far the hardest. I was ready to give-up when all the sudden it just popped-off.

ON EDIT:
I almost forgot. The puller I used was not adjustable for width. It simply slipped over the pitman arm and you tighten the center bolt until it the arm pops off.

 

Never use heat on a steering component ! get the right tool !
The sector shaft in the steering box is hardened if you apply to much you run the risk of fracture or also destroying seals.
there are proper tools for this as stated .

Rich

 

Yes totally agreed, get a better puller, don't be afraid to give it a whollop or two with a descent slegde. Just make sure you hit it square. If it doesn't work the first time, do it again, and again. Lift kits can be frustrating but with patience I've never failed to get one done. Stay away from the heat, would hate to see you have to do this all over again when down the road the bottom seal in the steering box fails.

 

i bought a puller from carquest for like 10 or fifeteen bucks... it was a lifesaver! Just be careful, cause sometimes those pitman arms will fly off when they snap free!

 

I went through the same problem. I tried the puller, and the heat, and still no luck. I ended up taking the 4" angle grinder to the pit man arm. Once I got close to the sector shaft I really took my time and was very careful. Eventually the pitman arm "popped"...that is, it cracked, as if it was waiting to burst. The pitman arm must be pressed on with some serious pressure.

 

HEAT?!?!?!?!?!?! NEVER USEHEAT UNLESS YOU WANT TO BUY A NEW STEERING BOX. Tighten your pitman arm puller in place. Grab an air hammer with a "driftpunch" bit on it. Place the air hammer squarely on the freed space of the pitman arm with the puller still tensioned. Blast the airhammer a few short bursts.....BAM....it's off.

 

DONT HIT IT WITH A HAMMER!!!! you can damage the internal workings of the steering box

 

A hammer.... NO!!!!!! An air hammer, along with the use of the proper pitman arm puller, with short controlled bursts will not damage anything. The air hammer bit is placed squarely on the face of the pitman arm....not to be confused with angling of the bit to pry the pitman arm down. The jolt of the air hammer breaks the tapered pressure.

 

i wasnt talking about you . two other people before you suggested using a hammer

 

Honesty I have never had any problems before using a puller and hammer to remove my pitmans, or sometimes even heat too. Obviously I understand that there are risks associated with this, but being smart about it hasn't failed me yet. I work on heavy farm machinery just as much as light trucks and sometimes taking risks is the only way to get it done. I understand the risks associated with hitting things but have never once broke anything, In other words, I know what I am doing. I guess being young and crazy could have something to do with it. Some may look down on my practice of fixing stuff, but I'd rather not spend money on fancy tools I hardly ever use and come up with my own way. I know I'm not alone here. Someday, if I happen to screw up and destroy something I will be sure to let everyone know how not to do it. Just my opinion. Happey wrenching!- Ryan

 

RynL88:
And herein lies the problem. Your giving this gentlemen advice to do something that most would agree is inherently dangerous. Even you believe that it is risky. You expressed that you have a good amount of experience doing things the way you do. Some of us may not have that same experience. Much of working on a vehicle is experience, NOT being "smart" about it. Having the experience you do, you may do alot of the steps in the process without even giving them thought, they just come naturally now. Then when you explain your method to one of us you may leave out some of those steps. Next thing you know this guy's steering box fails on him at 70mph and he's dead. Taking risks on any job is a personal choice that should not be suggested to any one. Not all of us believe that there is risk involved in working on a vehicle. I believe that with the proper tools, patience, safety practices, and knowledge that any job can be accomplished with absolutely no risk. While I understand that there are times when I have had to be "adaptive" in my ways, for whatever reason, I would never suggest these methods to anyone else. So please, before you suggest any method that even you believe is dangerous, keep in mind that our lives may depend on a good solid answer.

 

Young and crazy are synonomous. Forcing stuff in my opinion, involves no common sense and will eventually get you or someone else hurt. Don't take this as a negative thing, just speaking from experience as a former mechanic for 15 years..........It may be right to you, but how do you know it is right?