Pitman Arm Struggle

[jcwalsh1]

It took 3 days, 3 different pullers to finally get the pitman arm off the steering box. Started with the Harbor Freight set and bent the arm when using the impact wrench(Full refund from HF), AutoZone had a huge 3 arm puller that just would not fit, even with the box loose on the frame. Finally the Advance Auto Loaner set did the job but it was an explosive ending. Heated and drenched in PB multiple times over the 3 days. When it finally broke loose the head of the puller shot off like a bullet and bounced off at least 2 walls in the garage. Still have not found it. Installing the new box tonight. Hopefully the hard part is over.
https://flic.kr/p/2pWNU5W https://flic.kr/p/2pWNU5W

 

[Jonathan_Cole]

AutoZone rental tool part #57170 works well.

 

[ba123]

Looking at your pic, I'd say someone torqued the hell out of it WAY too much. I dunno, but mine certainly doesn't go all the way up to the top of the splines.

Glad you got it off and nobody got hurt from that "explosive ending"!!!

My HF one works just fine.

 

[76Broncofromhell]

It took 3 days, 3 different pullers to finally get the pitman arm off the steering box. Started with the Harbor Freight set and bent the arm when using the impact wrench(Full refund from HF), AutoZone had a huge 3 arm puller that just would not fit, even with the box loose on the frame. Finally the Advance Auto Loaner set did the job but it was an explosive ending. Heated and drenched in PB multiple times over the 3 days. When it finally broke loose the head of the puller shot off like a bullet and bounced off at least 2 walls in the garage. Still have not found it. Installing the new box tonight. Hopefully the hard part is over.
https://flic.kr/p/2pWNU5W https://flic.kr/p/2pWNU5W

In case any one reads this in the future - you'll have a lot more luck slowly tightening the pitman arm puller with a ratchet (not an impact) while whacking the side of the pitman arm with a large hammer. It's tapered - so you have to disrupt that fit with the hammer blow. Its a lot easier on your tools. I use it on TRE and Knuckle ball joints too.

If you've had the fortune of having to repair a broken Toyota blocking the trail in front of you and trying to unseat those bastard knuckle cone washers - you learn the art of the hammer tap.

 

[Shimmy]

Agree with @ba123. It looks like it was snug up against the box... mine had plenty of space in between.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Lisle sells a Ford specific puller that works great.


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[FordBronc]

The Auto Zone loaner worked so good, I bought one. Also worked great on the tie rod end, in the other end of the pitman arm. I followed the directions and it came off the second tap.

OEMTOOLS Pitman Arm Puller 27170​

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...rmyHTAupZRgpdXtap-SbYRUOtAbJ9QNK5uphpvE6C_e0c