Trying to rebuild my leaky steering box but haven't gotten very far. Any hints on how to get the lower end of the pitman arm off the steering arm? I'm afraid to us to much force and do some damage! Mike #34566
Removing Steering box
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Re: Removing Steering box
Mike -
If you're referring to removing the pitman arm from the splined pitman shaft on the steering gear, you'll need a "pitman arm puller"; see if your local auto parts store will rent you one (or a "rent-all" place). Harbor Freight has them also - not a "pro" tool, but adequate for occasional home use.- Top
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Re: Removing Steering box
Mike -
If you're referring to removing the pitman arm from the splined pitman shaft on the steering gear, you'll need a "pitman arm puller"; see if your local auto parts store will rent you one (or a "rent-all" place). Harbor Freight has them also - not a "pro" tool, but adequate for occasional home use.- Top
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Re: Removing Steering box
Mike-----
You will need to use a different type of tool to remove the pitman arm from the ball stud (either the ball stud on the p/s control valve or the ball stud on the realy rod if you have manual steering). The best tool to use is a screw-type pressing tool to press the stud out. This type tool will avoid any damage to the ball stud seal, the p/s control valve, or the ball stud, itself. Otherwise, you can use a tie-rod type "pickle-fork" to seperate the ball stud from the pitman arm. If you're going to rebuild the relay rod or replace the p/s control valve, you don't have a lot to lose with this.In Appreciation of John Hinckley- Top
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Re: Removing Steering box
Mike-----
You will need to use a different type of tool to remove the pitman arm from the ball stud (either the ball stud on the p/s control valve or the ball stud on the realy rod if you have manual steering). The best tool to use is a screw-type pressing tool to press the stud out. This type tool will avoid any damage to the ball stud seal, the p/s control valve, or the ball stud, itself. Otherwise, you can use a tie-rod type "pickle-fork" to seperate the ball stud from the pitman arm. If you're going to rebuild the relay rod or replace the p/s control valve, you don't have a lot to lose with this.In Appreciation of John Hinckley- Top
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Re: Removing Steering box
Joe it dosen't have power steering but there isn't enough room to get a screw type divice in there so I will use the ball joint separator? I have looked in all my books and can't get a detail on the ball stud on the end of the rod. I thiought I would rebuild it while I was in there. Does it unscrew from the end of the steering rod like the power steering unit or do I have to take the whole rod out. I'd obviously rebuild it in place if possible after I get the steering box(pitman arm) off it? Thanks Mike- Top
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Re: Removing Steering box
Joe it dosen't have power steering but there isn't enough room to get a screw type divice in there so I will use the ball joint separator? I have looked in all my books and can't get a detail on the ball stud on the end of the rod. I thiought I would rebuild it while I was in there. Does it unscrew from the end of the steering rod like the power steering unit or do I have to take the whole rod out. I'd obviously rebuild it in place if possible after I get the steering box(pitman arm) off it? Thanks Mike- Top
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Re: Removing Steering box
Mike:
I did mine in my 73. It had power steering and was not too bad. I used a pickle fork for tie rods. A Ball Joint seperator is probably too wide for the task. But I was replacing the PS control valve anyways as Joe said. Those puppies are on there and I had to beat a bit to split it from the pitman arm.
Once that was done,I undid the rag joint, loosened the three mounting nuts(brush the crap off them first to make it a bit easier), and she came out without too much grief. Hint -- before removing the rag joint center punch the two sections so you can assemble correctly. Do the same with the pitman arm and box.
Trying to pull the pitman arm on the car might not be your best approach. I had a puller and I had to heat the arm while pulling to get it off. The thing is torqued to 120 Lbs and it is on there! I did this on a bench. Can't imagine what that would be like in the car.
Hope this helps -
Pat- Top
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Re: Removing Steering box
Mike:
I did mine in my 73. It had power steering and was not too bad. I used a pickle fork for tie rods. A Ball Joint seperator is probably too wide for the task. But I was replacing the PS control valve anyways as Joe said. Those puppies are on there and I had to beat a bit to split it from the pitman arm.
Once that was done,I undid the rag joint, loosened the three mounting nuts(brush the crap off them first to make it a bit easier), and she came out without too much grief. Hint -- before removing the rag joint center punch the two sections so you can assemble correctly. Do the same with the pitman arm and box.
Trying to pull the pitman arm on the car might not be your best approach. I had a puller and I had to heat the arm while pulling to get it off. The thing is torqued to 120 Lbs and it is on there! I did this on a bench. Can't imagine what that would be like in the car.
Hope this helps -
Pat- Top
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