mrslyfox

SO, after 18 years of service, I believe that today is the day my steering box will get replaced, bought one a couple days ago, along with new heater hoses and brake lines for a nice weekend project. Anywho... the pitman arm has never been off of this truck so I imagine its not going to want to come off without a fight. I have a pitman arm puller... but even with those they can be stubborn when it comes to getting them off. Anyone have any ideas on breaking it free in advance without damaging it?

Warlockk

Pre soak with brake free, heat with torch, tighten puller, rap with hammer a few time then tighten the pulled some more. Finesse it don't try to pull all at once. May need to back off and re tighten a few times. Or remove the entire assembly and put it in a hydraulic press. Or just get a new pitman arm when you replace the box.

sylver91

I bought a new pitman arm when i bought my new box and grinded off the old bolts. Took a little over an hour to swap out

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

I did use a torch and a BFH.

mrslyfox

if I didnt have bad luck I would have no luck at all LOL. I did manage to get all my hoses changed...with the upper and radiator hoses that I did just before fall, and all the others over the weekend, some of which were the original 18 year old hoses, should be good to go with that. Got the plugs changed in my transmission... however its leaking around the shifter, so I moved onto the steering box. Got the old one off, not to bad, the pitman arm however refused to budge! Broke my puller, I said the heck with it, gonna get one from auto parts.. they want $111 for a new pitman arm... Im thinking not, bet I can find one for half that online, possibly even the same brand... Figure I wont get much done on it till next weekend anyway, so what the heck.. order a new pitman arm, the shifter fix it kit, and next weekend should be an install weekend only weekend...unless I decide to replace brake lines...but that may just wait till spring. I dunno... Anyway, thanks to all that have helped or given ideas!! Love this site!

F100builder

A shop could probably pull it for 10-20 bucks I would think??? Anyway, nothing wrong with a new if you can find a deal.

mrslyfox

Just ordered the shifter kit, and ordered a Moog pitman arm from RockAuto.com, the pitman arm with shipping was like $72. Better than $111 for the same part when I wont be getting to it for another week anyway.