I need HELP w/removing pitman arm

[Bullitt-]

OK GUYS, got the BIG nut off & thought I was home free as I actually have a pitman arm puller BUT after being soaked with penetrating oil for 3-days the arm she don't remove. NEED SOME IDEAS PLEASE   

Thanks Wade

[Chryco Psycho]

a pitman arm puller is the only tool I know of to get the arm off , if you are replacing the arm heat may help

[tactransman]

Just be careful of that lower seal!

[ROMI]

Hey Bullitt, I had much the same problem. I used the puller and as I turned it and built a little bit of pressure, I would tap on the arm lightly with hammer, not hard just enough to break it loose. It took a while because I was being careful but it came off.

[Bullitt-]

Thanks Guys 

UPDATE, well the arm is not off yet, but I'm minus one bargan basement puller (abaut 8 bucks at Harbor Freight) have obtained a loaner front end tool set from Advance Auto & I'm fixing to give it another go.

Just be careful of that lower seal!

Are your referring to the steering box? Hope a little heat doesn't create problems, if so too late.


ALL TOGETHER ON THREE !>>>>2>>>>>3>>>>GRUNT

[ShelbyDogg]

Bullit, when you use a GOOD puller, it'll come off with a big breaker bar and brute force.  Your Cheap puller just failed before it popped off.  If you have to, tap the head of the puller bolt after tightening it up, then turn it some more, then tap it again.
Rob

[Bullitt-]

Thanks Rob, Tried all that and more, the loaner puller is maybe just a little better quality so I'm afraid to put too much grunt into it. Well anyway I have used ROMI's suggestion of tapping with a hammer & have managed to get a little back & forth movement but I have ran out of curse words for the evening & left it to soak for another day. Were all of you pulling with me?    If so your arm is quite sore right now. 

[72hemi]

The best way to get them off from my experience is to put a puller on it with pressure, and then heat the arm with a torch. If you don't heat it in most cases you are just spinning your wheels. But you do have to be careful of the lower seal when heating.

[Alaskan_TA]

I had a stubborn one years ago, I left the puller on it overnight after a liberal dose of penatrating oil. No change by the next day, so I managed another 1/4 turn on the puller and let it sit. About an hour later BANG! It came loose, crapped the scare out of me.   

Barry

[heminut]

crapped the scare out of me.   

Barry

    

[Bullitt-]

I had a stubborn one years ago, I left the puller on it overnight after a liberal dose of penatrating oil. No change by the next day, so I managed another 1/4 turn on the puller and let it sit. About an hour later BANG! It came loose, crapped the scare out of me.   

Barry

I've left the puller on now for a full day.........No Bang!  , TOO Darn hot to worry with today.

[miketyler]

The pitman arm is pretty thick cast steel and I dont think you are gonna bend the output shaft - I would put some tension on it and hit it around the oputside with an air hammer a time or two. Sometimes a concentrated blow around the perimeter will break it loose.

I have to ask - why are you pulling it? Are you changing your steering gear box out?

[chrisII]

i agree that if you put all the tenshon you can on it, then heat liberaly it shuld pop off at some point. heat around the pitman, moving the tortch back and forth , i wouldnt worry much about getting the seal overly hot,but if it seams hard when you get the pitman off you shuld replace it.

[oldkimmer]

OK guys, all your ideas eventually work, but being I make my living as an automotive tech I am always looking for new innovative ways for short cuts. One day while pondering taking the steering box off of a 88-99 style chevy 4x4 pickup to remove the pitman I had  one of the best ideas in a long,long time.Out comes my hand held cut off wheel, and voila, a little cutting to relive the pressure on the tapered fit ,off pops the pitman.....2hr job done in less than 45 mins,including the brain wave idea.Anyone I tell this to, says I dont know how I never thought of that,but it is a gooder.

[oldkimmer]

see above..............ofcourse u only use this trick if u are replacing the arm.