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Pitman and Idler arm replacement

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Old May 14, 2009 | 09:19 PM
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Default Pitman and Idler arm replacement

I plan on replacing both of these this weekend. What tools will I need to do this?
 
Old May 15, 2009 | 07:19 AM
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A pitman arm puller would make things easier, but you have to pull the steering gear box loose to be able to get one on.
 
Old May 15, 2009 | 07:20 AM
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yeah i know i have to pull the gear box. Is that the only tool i should need?
 
Old May 15, 2009 | 07:27 AM
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A 1/2" drive socket set, wrench set, mallat, ball peen hammer, and a pickle-fork. I believe thats what I used last time.
 
Old May 15, 2009 | 08:22 AM
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Yeah you will really want an impact hammer with a lot of torque for the pitman arm
 
Old May 15, 2009 | 11:25 AM
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True true-if you don't have access to air tools, you can get a cheater pipe to help.
 
Old May 15, 2009 | 12:10 PM
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You can also get a tierod end press to aid in the removal of the tapered rod ends at both the pitman arm and the idler arm where they connect to the center link. But a pickle fork works good too. Even better is a pickle fork air hammer bit!
 
Old May 15, 2009 | 12:45 PM
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Now we"re talkin! Get some!
 
Old May 15, 2009 | 08:49 PM
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I removed my steering box right out of the truck and used a 3-jaw puller and my electric impact to get the pitman arm off. Took about 10 minutes to get the steering box out and 5 to remove the pitman arm. Just throwing out other options depending on what tools you have! BFH is certainly a must
 
Old May 15, 2009 | 09:44 PM
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I was at autozone today and saw that pitman arm puller. We have those in our snap-on puller kits. I've always just grabbed whatever puller fits the job needed! lol, oh well. Learn something new everyday.
 



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