Pitman arm question
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Senior User
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Pitman arm question
I am in the process of putting a lift on my 92 F250, and i cannot get my pitman arm disconnected from the drag link. Do I need a puller or something for this?
I know i need a puller to get the pitman arm off of the steering box but not sure about the other end.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Greg-92 F250
I know i need a puller to get the pitman arm off of the steering box but not sure about the other end.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Greg-92 F250
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: La Grande, OR
If you don't have an air hammer with pickle fork attachment, you can just get a pickle fork and hammer it in to where its putting some good pressure on the drag link and then hit the drag link end (but gently). If you can, I would only recommend hitting the pickle fork, but sometimes you do what you need to to get it off. Just make sure you take it off before you take off the pitman arm, or else it becomes a real big PITA.
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From: Des Moines
If you don't have an air hammer with pickle fork attachment, you can just get a pickle fork and hammer it in to where its putting some good pressure on the drag link and then hit the drag link end (but gently). If you can, I would only recommend hitting the pickle fork, but sometimes you do what you need to to get it off. Just make sure you take it off before you take off the pitman arm, or else it becomes a real big PITA.
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Thanks for all of the help guys. I tried hitting the drag link with the nut back on it already and had no luck, so it looks like i'll try the pickle fork and see what happens.
Thanks again
Greg-92 F250
Thanks again
Greg-92 F250
Cargo Master
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From: Des Moines
If the pickle fork alone won't do it, you might try getting the fork wedged into place, and then tapping on the end of the drag link. The combined pressure of the fork w/ the tapping should be enough to break it loose.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: NVA
Years ago we had to do a steering box in my 82 F150...well my bro's at the time as I was 15. We spent hours trying to get that thing off before we broke down and went out to buy a pickle fork. Got home, took it out of the package, and 3 min later it was off. Job would have taken 2-3 hours if we had the pickle fork to begin with.
I am going to be doing the box on my 89 soon, and before I even buy the box I am getting a pickle fork.
I am going to be doing the box on my 89 soon, and before I even buy the box I am getting a pickle fork.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
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From: Sand Lake, MI
Years ago we had to do a steering box in my 82 F150...well my bro's at the time as I was 15. We spent hours trying to get that thing off before we broke down and went out to buy a pickle fork. Got home, took it out of the package, and 3 min later it was off. Job would have taken 2-3 hours if we had the pickle fork to begin with.
I am going to be doing the box on my 89 soon, and before I even buy the box I am getting a pickle fork.
I am going to be doing the box on my 89 soon, and before I even buy the box I am getting a pickle fork.
You will want to rent a pitman arm puller though, rather pricey (didn't note where you are but if you're close you could borrow mine!) they can be a real pain to remove. If you buy one, don't buy a "cheap" one.
Either way yea a pickle fork is a handy item to own regardless, cheap enough and basically one size fits all.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Sand Lake, MI
Now it wouldn't work on my quad but hey what can ya do, thems some little tiny <strike>tie rod ends</strike>! oops was the lower ball joint, tie rods on it use a simple through bolt set up.
I used a small two arm gear puller to put some tension on it then yea a little "smack" to its side with a hammer and popped it right off.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
I would recommend a puller, the pickle fork will wreck your output shaft or the seal or both unless you are very careful. You will need to put the puller on, tighten it as much as you can without using a cheater bar, then hit the pitman arm on the side with a bfh. Then tighten again and repeat. It will come off pretty easily with this method.
