I recently bought an '86 pickup which needed most of the steering components replaced. I'm mostly done with only a few busted knuckles received/ coarse words issued, But it seems that I saved the best for last.

I'm trying to replace the pitman arm, so I go to Autozone, borrow a puller, hook it on, and nothing.

I tried a few times from different angles and tightened those wing nuts with pliers, but those jaws keep slipping off, and you can (kinda) see the flex in them. According to the Haynes manual, it should pull off after the nut is removed. Am I missing something? Is there a trick to this?

 

might wanna hit the pitman with a hammer a few times to knock the rust loose a little Also when doing mine, I used the same puller but I really cranked down on those wingnuts with an adjustable wrench and not just my hands.

 

I'll try beating it a little more aggressively next time. I may also try fire or adding a c-clamp to the jaw ends.

I only get to wrench on Tuesdays and Saturdays, so I want to make sure I maximize my brainstorming between opportunities.

 

The trick, it turns out, was to hit it REALLY hard with a big-ass hammer while gently increasing pressure from the puller.

Four ball joints, four tie rod ends, new pitman arm, new idler arm, and new front shocks. I think I may get it aligned before I put it on the road.