Removing pitman arm
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Alvin, Texas 77511
Removing pitman arm
What is the best way to remove a pitman arm on a 52 ford truck. I took the drag link off yeaterday and on the pitman arm the ball has a flat spot on it so I ordered another one yeaterday. Now I have to get the old one off. After I get it off how do I line it up as close to where the old one was so my alinement will still be the same?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
Likes: 22
From: Oxford, Indiana
DIADQ
You'll want to get a pitman arm puller.
How it works is fairly obvious but there are some finer points that aren't. Apply stout pressure with the press screw, but don't overtighten it or you'll damage/bend the tool. Once you have it under pressure, whack the end of the screw smartly with a hammer a couple times followed by whacking the side of the pitman arm in the area of the splines between the fingers of the puller. Tighten the press screw a half turn or so and then whack it in both places again. If you can't get it to move, soak the splines with penetrating oil and let it sit overnight under pressure from the puller and repeat the bash and tighten routine. Some are more stubborn than others, but they will always eventually come off.
It's been a day or two since I had a pitman arm off, but I want to remember that the pitman shaft and arm both have a master spline, so it's only possible to put it back on one way.
You'll want to get a pitman arm puller.
How it works is fairly obvious but there are some finer points that aren't. Apply stout pressure with the press screw, but don't overtighten it or you'll damage/bend the tool. Once you have it under pressure, whack the end of the screw smartly with a hammer a couple times followed by whacking the side of the pitman arm in the area of the splines between the fingers of the puller. Tighten the press screw a half turn or so and then whack it in both places again. If you can't get it to move, soak the splines with penetrating oil and let it sit overnight under pressure from the puller and repeat the bash and tighten routine. Some are more stubborn than others, but they will always eventually come off.
It's been a day or two since I had a pitman arm off, but I want to remember that the pitman shaft and arm both have a master spline, so it's only possible to put it back on one way.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 128
From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
I don't think the pitman shaft from the steering box it is a tapered press fit, it flat and kind of hangs up on the spline next to the box but once the nut is off a couple of big taps usually is all that is needed? (I think). 
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,155
Likes: 4,754
From: Burbank, WA
When hitting the arm with the hammer, it's best if you used two large ones. Hold one hammer firmly against one side of the arm while striking the other side with the second hammer. That forces the striking energy to work better.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
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From: Erie, pa
Go to Autozone - They will rent you one for free - You deposit the purchase price - they give you the rental unit - you return it when done and they refund the money.
Saves fingers, buggered splines and a number of other things.
Saves fingers, buggered splines and a number of other things.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Alvin, Texas 77511
Thanks for the information on pulling the arm off. I will try and go to auto zone and rent the puller that I need. Is there only one way in one position that it will go back on or do I have to mark the old one so the new one will go in the same spline for alinement?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 128
From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca
..............what he said!
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,875
Likes: 3,114
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I've used a torch to heat the pitman arm, I don't over do it, just enough heat to expand it a bit. Put a wedge between the frame and the arm and it'll pop right off. The heat won't hurt it as long as you don't get it hot enough to start to melt it.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 101
Likes: 14
From: Diboll, Texas
pitman arm install
The pitman arm on the 52 has four master splines. You only need to have the steering wheel in the middle of its lock to lock turns and line it up with the closest master spline.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 76
From: Utah
DIADQ
You'll want to get a pitman arm puller.
How it works is fairly obvious but there are some finer points that aren't. Apply stout pressure with the press screw, but don't overtighten it or you'll damage/bend the tool. Once you have it under pressure, whack the end of the screw smartly with a hammer a couple times followed by whacking the side of the pitman arm in the area of the splines between the fingers of the puller. Tighten the press screw a half turn or so and then whack it in both places again. If you can't get it to move, soak the splines with penetrating oil and let it sit overnight under pressure from the puller and repeat the bash and tighten routine. Some are more stubborn than others, but they will always eventually come off.
It's been a day or two since I had a pitman arm off, but I want to remember that the pitman shaft and arm both have a master spline, so it's only possible to put it back on one way.
You'll want to get a pitman arm puller.
How it works is fairly obvious but there are some finer points that aren't. Apply stout pressure with the press screw, but don't overtighten it or you'll damage/bend the tool. Once you have it under pressure, whack the end of the screw smartly with a hammer a couple times followed by whacking the side of the pitman arm in the area of the splines between the fingers of the puller. Tighten the press screw a half turn or so and then whack it in both places again. If you can't get it to move, soak the splines with penetrating oil and let it sit overnight under pressure from the puller and repeat the bash and tighten routine. Some are more stubborn than others, but they will always eventually come off.
It's been a day or two since I had a pitman arm off, but I want to remember that the pitman shaft and arm both have a master spline, so it's only possible to put it back on one way.
BOR shows the same puller I have and it works great, but on some trucks that specific puller tabs will not fit behind the pitman arm (for some reason the space between the frame and the arm is narrower) so you may need to use a ball joint tool like this one.http://www.northerntool.com/images/p...9094003_lg.jpg
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