Thinking
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 1,199
From: The People's Republic of Colorado
Idler arm I've done before, and the old one is off. It's really not too bad. The pitman arm is going to be more fun, though, because the frame is in the way of the nut that holds it to the steering box shaft, but a shallow 32mm socket looks like it *might* work. Heading into town shortly to go pick one up.
Now an XLT in Colorado
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 3,171
From: Colorado
BIG, BIIIIG PITA! 
See above for the answer to your first question. (Ref: Pitman arm. Idler isn't bad at all.)
No lift, just HF 6-ton jack stands. And I *wish* I had in-floor heat out there! No. That floor is C O L D!
And yes. Chicken sandwich for lunch tomorrow!
Thanks for the video link. 
I "rented" a puller from AZ, and it worked great to break loose the idler and the linkage end of the pitman arm. It won't fit straight on the shaft end, though. An eighth of an inch more space, and it would be a piece of cake, but nooooo! 
I swear... design engineers should have to spend two years wrenching before they're even allowed to *look* at a computer!
I think I'll be resorting to using my cutoff tool and a cold chisel tomorrow.
BTW, it was a little cattywampus, but that standard 32mm socket with a wobble extension worked to get the shaft nut off. I have no idea, though, how I'm going to get 230-ish (?) lb-ft of torque on it when I reassemble things without it slipping off.
No lift, just HF 6-ton jack stands. And I *wish* I had in-floor heat out there! No. That floor is C O L D!
And yes. Chicken sandwich for lunch tomorrow!
I have that socket. This video was a big help for me:
This video
This video
I "rented" a puller from AZ, and it worked great to break loose the idler and the linkage end of the pitman arm. It won't fit straight on the shaft end, though. An eighth of an inch more space, and it would be a piece of cake, but nooooo! I swear... design engineers should have to spend two years wrenching before they're even allowed to *look* at a computer!I think I'll be resorting to using my cutoff tool and a cold chisel tomorrow.
BTW, it was a little cattywampus, but that standard 32mm socket with a wobble extension worked to get the shaft nut off. I have no idea, though, how I'm going to get 230-ish (?) lb-ft of torque on it when I reassemble things without it slipping off.
Last edited by OhioLariat; Dec 29, 2023 at 04:11 AM.
Now an XLT in Colorado
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 3,171
From: Colorado
98 F150 5.4L E40D/4R100
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 28,519
Likes: 7,631
From: MI
Same here,...my boot laces and well placed wads of d-tape have got me home more than once. I deserved a parade for a few of those accomplishments lol.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,728
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From: CA near Frisco
98 F150 5.4L E40D/4R100
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 28,519
Likes: 7,631
From: MI