[90pioneer]

Early 99 F350. I'm replacing the steering box today and I can't even get the freakin drag link off of the pitman arm. I've been beating the hell out of it with a hammer and tie rod end separator but it will not budge at all.

Any ideas? I have not jacked it up... would that make it easier?

 

[BTBBT]

Get two equal sized hammers, and hit the pitman arm on both sides of the drag link end, simultainously! and it should after a few blows pop right out. The trick is to get the two hammers to hit at the exact same time, and with enough force. It doesn't take as much as you may think, but it has worked for me every single time.

 

[rv6a]

Another method

Get two equal sized hammers, and hit the pitman arm on both sides of the drag link end, simultainously! and it should after a few blows pop right out. The trick is to get the two hammers to hit at the exact same time, and with enough force. It doesn't take as much as you may think, but it has worked for me every single time.

A good pry bar and a 3lb single jack work well too. The pry bar is used to put downward force on the drag link while you whack it on the side as hard as you can with the single jack. Same principle as BTBBT's two hammer method. The blow distorts the metal while simultaneously vibrating the crud out of it. Off pops the link. I have never had much luck with tie rod forks.

 

[90pioneer]

A good pry bar and a 3lb single jack work well too. The pry bar is used to put downward force on the drag link while you whack it on the side as hard as you can with the single jack. Same principle as BTBBT's two hammer method. The blow distorts the metal while simultaneously vibrating the crud out of it. Off pops the link. I have never had much luck with tie rod forks.

Well I got it off and pulled out the old steering box. I was mounting the pitman arm onto the new steering box (red head) and the damn thing shot a bolt out the back cover and shattered it.

So now I'm ****ed until redhead sends me a new steering box.

And the best thing is my truck is half way in and half way out of my garage... and I can't move it.

 

[RT]

Sorry I didn't get on sooner - my first thought when reading the posts was there would be no way in hades I would try to pull a pitman arm by beating on it. Its not the weakest link in the steering system. There is a special puller which you can rent at any auto parts store that will separate it without destroying your box. To anyone else reading this post in the future - the above post is why you don't use a hammer to get your pitman arm off...

 

[90pioneer]

Sorry I didn't get on sooner - my first thought when reading the posts was there would be no way in hades I would try to pull a pitman arm by beating on it. Its not the weakest link in the steering system. There is a special puller which you can rent at any auto parts store that will separate it without destroying your box. To anyone else reading this post in the future - the above post is why you don't use a hammer to get your pitman arm off...

I used a pitman arm puller to remove the pitman arm from the old box.

I was putting the pitman arm back on the new box. Trying to tap it back on when the bolt shot out the back end.

 

[RT]

It shouldn't have been that hard going on - if you can get the teeth lined up, usually it will go on enough get the nut started. Occasionally, I've had to heat the pitman arm up with a torch to get the metal to expand allowing it to slip on easier.

 

[rv6a]

It shouldn't have been that hard going on - if you can get the teeth lined up, usually it will go on enough get the nut started. Occasionally, I've had to heat the pitman arm up with a torch to get the metal to expand allowing it to slip on easier.

I agree that the pitman arm should be pulled with the appropriate puller but he was trying to remove the drag link which has a rod end on it. Forks destroy rod ends but hammers and pry bars dont. Of course it may not be a good idea to pound on a pitman arm that is attached to the steering box. It could be hard on the box.

What I don't understand is how he busted his new red head box installing a pitman arm.

 

[klhansen]

What I don't understand is how he busted his new red head box installing a pitman arm.

While he was hammering it on, it was only backed up by the adjusting bolt and jam nut opposite the shaft. I'm pretty sure that's what went flying out. Must not have been a light tap that did the deed. The adjusting bolt and cover aren't designed to take that kind of an impact load. :shrug03:

 

[90pioneer]

While he was hammering it on, it was only backed up by the adjusting bolt and jam nut opposite the shaft. I'm pretty sure that's what went flying out. Must not have been a light tap that did the deed. The adjusting bolt and cover aren't designed to take that kind of an impact load. :shrug03:

I actually wasn't hitting it that hard, just tapping and it was supported properly. After examining the cast cover, it looks like the casting had a flaw in it making it significantly weaker from the get go. Redhead is sending me a new steering box which should be here tomorrow. Great customer service.

 

[TERRY NEELD]

I got a pitman arm puller from auto zone that worked after I did a little grinding to get it to fit,then put a little heat on the pitman arm and worked like a charm.Can't recall the price it was not that much also used some p.c.blaster. OEM/ PART NO.25262

 

[90pioneer]

So Redhead sent me a new steering box which I received today.

Only problem is they sent me a 36 spline this time when I need a 32 spline!!!! Wrong part in the right box. So now I have to wait until tomorrow again. UGH!!!! So frustrating.