So, some would say I should put this in the t100 section, but.. pulling a pitman arm is going to be similar enough between vehicles that I feel more confident putting it here..

Basically on my '96 T100, I need to change my pitman arm. This should be like a 30 minute job. Problem is.. it's stuck. And by stuck I mean cracked a socket and bent the puller out of shape trying to pull it, and didn't even budge it type stuck.

Does anyone have any advice on something that might work to break it loose? I have no care if I damage the existing arm, but I don't want to risk damaging the parts around it.

Things I have already tried:
Pitman arm puller.
alternative 2-jaw puller (which wouldn't get a grip)
hitting it with a hammer (can't get a lot of force behind it due to the position)
Tapping it with the hammer while under strain from the puller.
Spraying a WD-40 like substance on it and letting it set.
Swearing at it like a sailor.
Attempted to get a prybar on it, couldn't get a grip (was going to attempt to use the prybar to break it loose while under strain from the puller.)

Monday I will be calling a few mechanics to get estimates on changing it w/ parts supplied, but depending on the costs, I may have to find a way to do it myself.

(If it gets too bad and I can't get it done professionally, I will break out my angle griner with a cutting disk and cut the frelling thing off, but that's a last resort.)

 

heat it up.

 

x2. Take a torch to it then beat the hell out of it.

 

x3. Heat usually works! Heat then beat and pry it!

 

My concern with heating it is the risk of damaging anything around it.. specifically the steering box.

So then, what's the chances that in the time it takes to heat up that thick of metal enough that it expands, the radiating heat from an acetylene torch will cause too much heat in something else and.. melt plastic, boil fluid, warp thinner metal, etc?

 

if you take it to a mechanic, they will try all of those things. after they have done those things, they will take a cut off wheel and cut it off. i know this because i am a steering, suspension, and alignment mechanic. what i usually do is mark a couple of spots on the pitman arm and the steering box for reference points so that i ensure a proper installation, take a cut off wheel, and cut most of the way through. after i have cut through most of the pitman arm, i take an impact hammer, and put the bit in the cut that i have made, and spread it open. it is then when it falls off. i have wasted a lot of time and money using pullers. i always brake them.

 

I just had a problem with mine, this is what I had to use loaned it out from autozone:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...&brandName=OEM

 

All ya gotta do is....

Get the puller on there nice and tight, like almost to the point that it will bend or break, but not quite there.... then take your favorite BFH, and give the pitman arm a couple good whacks..... that should pop it for ya....

 

Same here Gnarly4X. I tried the BFH and the regular pitman puller, dang near broke the puller. The puller I listed is the one that worked for me. Keep in mind the steering box I pulled the pitman arm was on a 1995 pickup (did a power steering conversion but put a new greasable pitman on). I can't imagine me trying to pull off the one that was on my truck originally.

 

rapid heat, then turn a can of computer duster upside down and rapidly cool it.
should break it free hehe.

 

I would advise against the torch idea.... so many times I have seen that work, BUT, 2 months down the road, the seals in the gearbox need to be replaced..... Try the puller again, get it real tight...then give a couple good whacks to the top of the pitman arm, then re-tighten the puller just a bit, couple more whacks, and repeat till it pops off.... this method works for me every time!

 

You need something like kroil that really gets in tight places nothing like WD-40 will help break it loose

I use the tension and tap method after it soaks most often overnight.

 

Easiest way to remove a pitman arm (destroys it) is to score it. Then put a puller on it. Pops right off. Not an expensive part to replace and if it's on that dang tight score it. Time to me is money and if I'm taking a pitman arm off it's getting junked anyway.

 

I've never had a problem with getting the puller as tight as my 1/2" impact would allow and hitting the pitman arm with a hammer. It has always popped right off.

(..and now I've probably jinxed myself..)

If it still wont come off, I'd probably just cut a couple grooves into it until it would pop off. Never would I get it hot with a torch. There are seals that could be damaged by heat inside of the gearbox. Save the seals!

 

Last time I did one they were called a pitman arm puller. I borrowed one from local auto shop..

 

i couldnt get mine off doing the sas on my runner. i took a 4in. cutoff wheel and cut into the side of it almost down to the shaft but not quite. then i put the puller back on and smacked my slit i cut with a chisel, this cracked the pitman arm down to the shaft and it fell off. i would stay away from a torch im not sure if there is an oil seal on the bottom of the box but if there is you'll cook it. cut the slit, has to be at a 45 degree angle to cut all the way, hit with punch, arm falls off. good luck

 

I've had good luck with a pitman arm puller plus some good penetrating oil (PB Blaster, Kroil, etc.). Put it on, tighten up and tap the end of the arm with a heavy hammer a few times. Leave the puller tight and over a few hours, repeat the hammering and then re-snug the puller. After a few repeats of the above, it'll almost fall off by itself.