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Been a while. I would try leaving it hooked up first since it limits movement of the gear.
Definitely going here next (after the back spasms from yesterday's work subside). The intermediate shaft comes out w/just one bolt and no puller needed, so it shouldn't be a big deal.
Definitely going here next (after the back spasms from yesterday's work subside). The intermediate shaft comes out w/just one bolt and no puller needed, so it shouldn't be a big deal.
Hi, I'm doing almost all the exact same job on my 2002 Lariat FX4 SuperCab.
So, did you unbolt only the steering box and then turn it to pull the pitman arm?
Are you reusing the factory bolts, nuts, etc for the UCA replacements?
So, did you unbolt only the steering box and then turn it to pull the pitman arm?
I haven't gotten very far. Broke the bolts and had to quit because of my back. They are so tight my impact gun was useless. I tried to get a look at the intermediate shaft bolt but I couldn't figure out how to get the plastic cover off before my back made me quit.
Are you reusing the factory bolts, nuts, etc for the UCA replacements?
No, I added cam bolt kits and a new nut comes with the UCA - but I would've reused the factory hardware otherwise.
Last edited by COStruck; Sep 21, 2021 at 05:36 PM.
Oh crap. Those bots are long, skinny and don't take much torque. Never heard of them breaking while taking loose though, only when tightening with an impact. That's a bummer.
The plastic thing just slips up toward the firewall to give a peek at the bolt head.
Oh crap. Those bots are long, skinny and don't take much torque. Never heard of them breaking while taking loose though, only when tightening with an impact. That's a bummer.
Broke as in "cracked loose" - they're still whole. I just finished pulling them and I needed a breaker bar with a pipe almost the whole way - there's some kind of orange threadlocker on them.
The plastic thing just slips up toward the firewall to give a peek at the bolt head.
Not mine - it has three attachment points (now two - one broke - the only one I could actually see).
Last edited by COStruck; Sep 21, 2021 at 06:30 PM.
I think I will be able to get this with the intermediate shaft still attached. I managed to get the puller on and a socket on the puller, but I can't hold it high enough to get a ratchet on the socket. Trying to figure out an offset for the jack or whether I should go after the int. shaft instead.
Sorry if I'm "post whoring" but I'm working for a few minutes and taking breaks I really don't want to take.
Here's how I got it up and tilted to get the ratchet on the puller. The board is wedged against the front bumper cover. It worked! You have to be very aware of that brake line the whole time. It's off and reassembly starts soon.
It didn't pop like all the other joints. It just sort of got worked off. I was worried as hell that I was cutting into the shaft but thankfully there were no marks whatsoever. The little band left intact (and surely all that rust) was enough to keep this thing clinging on for freedom.
Last edited by COStruck; Sep 21, 2021 at 07:21 PM.
@MikeVB you'll need a 33mm socket for the Pitman arm and nobody carries them. I am using a 1-5/16" that Napa had on the shelf (slightly too big but it got the nut off). They used a pipe wrench in some of the videos I watched, and I may need to go there if the torque wrench adds too much length.
