Technical Pitman arm removal

I borrowed a good puller and tightened it till a wing nut (that was barely threaded on) popped off. Should I try again with the puller as-is? Add some rust penetrant? Break out a MAPP gas torch and heat the arm?

 

MAPP gas works for me.

 

A good puller with a wing nut ? lol

 

The best puller for pitman arms is not adjustable, and made specifically for pitman arms. A very wise investment.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Pitm...MIvt7swKOujgMVBW1HAR1sAxeqEAQYASABEgKXdPD_BwE

 

What's supposedly wrong with a puller with a wing nut?

 

Nothing until it flies apart and hits you in the face !

 

Here's what I'm using. I don't see it being a problem, as long as the wing nuts are threaded on more than I had them. I also have one like in post #4.

 

Longer bolts, bailing wire, hose clamps...welder

 

Universal ANYTHING is never as good as a dedicated tool , that just looks cheap ... Sometimes you'll get by with them , most times not so much ..

 

Tighten up the top big bolt
Whack that bolt with a hammer
Repeat.

warm up if that fails

 

I just recently stripped the center bolt on my MAC pitman arm puller . I had to do as Mr.Anthony suggested , smack hell out of it tighten heat , smack hell out of it , repeat .

 

No line up pin
& arms
& some time Heat Needed .

 

I have one of these. Been using it for years, works everytime.

 

Yep
Tighten it
Whack it
Repeat

 

Depends on the Puller? My Mac puller has wing nuts!




Bones

 

And, what is a "sung"nut? new one on me

 

prob on ALL of us...

 

IF it's going to be replaced and it's a junk piece I take a 4" cutting disc and cut a deep slot on the back side of the pitman arm, straight opposite of the arm part and then put a puller on it and a couple smacks and it's off.

If I need to save it, put puller on, put pressure against it but not maxed out on pressure, then again I heat a line up and down on the same spot as above. Once I get a line good and hot then I max out the air wrench and a couple smacks with a hammer.

Sometimes I've taken a big punch and with the puller on it and hit the back side of the pitman arm in the same spots as above. So I'm hitting the thick ring side of the pitman arm straight with the long arm, straight hits into the shaft. But I only do this as a last ditch effort as I don't like banging the shaft into the lower bearing/bushing....

...

 

I've found success twice by using a good puller, giving her the business with the impact, a few smacks, more business, then go have a sammich for lunch and mow the yard. When I come back, it's laying on the floor. *shrug*

-rick

 

Yes, I got to know what "sung nuts" are...

 

I have a large two jaw puller. It always has worked for me. I have never smacked the puller. I would expect that to damage the worm or bearings. If did want to smack the puller, I would take the cover off the end of the pitman shaft so the shaft could bottom on the housing. Vega boxes are really delicate and if you try to beat the tie rod ball joint off, you will dent the worm bearing surfaces.

 

They say a picture is worth…

 

S, not H !

 

Oop’s, thought I read snug. Damn dyslexia!

 

Tighten the correct-type puller up hard, use an airgun w/a wide/thick tip on either the pitman arm top, or against the puller shaft. Maybe both, alternating. If you do soak the splines w/penetrant, careful w/the airgun, it'll send that stuff flying, miraculously, into the eyes 1st. What you want is vibration(s) to help loosen it up, while exerting pressure in the "off" direction. Saves a lot of cussing... . I mean, you can still cuss all you want, but it's usually not *needed* . .
Marcus...

 

The absolute best pitman arm puller is the cup style. They don't use separate arms with hooks that can spread the more pressure you put on the T screw to pull an arm. Of course they cost a lot more, but I've never found a pitman arm they wont pull the first try. About $90-$200 depending on where you buy one. This one is on Amazon for $89.

 

That style was puller was the Ford Rotunda service tool back in the 70's. Use one like many times when I worked at the Lincoln Mercury dealer. It always did the job.

 

I would say some heat, thats been the only way those time I had to remove pitman arms.

 

As Clint Eastwood said, "A man's got to know his limitations...."