Removing pitman arm from center link - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**MikeB** · 06-20-2021, 03:55 PM

I'm having one heck of a time trying to remove the pitman arm from the center link on my 69 C10. Closest size puller I have doesn't grab enough iron to work. Pickle fork doesn't do any good and I'm afraid it will mess up the rubber.

I've done it twice before on this truck and don't remember having problems. I'm thinking my next step will be holding a body dolly on one side and smacking the other side with a sledge hammer. Any other ideas?

**Grumpy old man** · 06-20-2021, 04:22 PM

Have you tried a pitman arm puller ?

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

gmc684x4 · 06-20-2021, 05:38 PM

I used one like Grumpy shows last week taking apart a 50 year old c10 worked like a charm

**MikeB** · 06-21-2021, 10:55 AM

The puller pictured above works to pull the pitman arm off the steering box sector shaft. It's easy peasy. My problem is the center link (a.k.a drag link) end of the pitman arm.

Won't be able to work on it until Wednesday when I'll try the old hammer dolly method. But I'm open to other ideas.

68 P.O.S. · 06-21-2021, 11:20 AM

The old BFH has never failed me lol

**Accelo** · 06-21-2021, 12:24 PM

Sometimes two pickle forks will work. One from each direction. May require two BFH (hammers). If you are not reusing the joint some heat applied to the OD can work wonders.
Rick

06-20-2021, 03:55 PM	#1
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Removing pitman arm from center link I'm having one heck of a time trying to remove the pitman arm from the center link on my 69 C10. Closest size puller I have doesn't grab enough iron to work. Pickle fork doesn't do any good and I'm afraid it will mess up the rubber. I've done it twice before on this truck and don't remember having problems. I'm thinking my next step will be holding a body dolly on one side and smacking the other side with a sledge hammer. Any other ideas? __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

06-20-2021, 04:22 PM	#2
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Removing pitman arm from center link Have you tried a pitman arm puller ? https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...E&gclsrc=aw.ds Attached Images __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

06-20-2021, 05:38 PM	#3
gmc684x4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Whitehorse yukon Posts: 1,218	Re: Removing pitman arm from center link I used one like Grumpy shows last week taking apart a 50 year old c10 worked like a charm

06-21-2021, 10:55 AM	#4
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: Removing pitman arm from center link The puller pictured above works to pull the pitman arm off the steering box sector shaft. It's easy peasy. My problem is the center link (a.k.a drag link) end of the pitman arm. Won't be able to work on it until Wednesday when I'll try the old hammer dolly method. But I'm open to other ideas. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! Last edited by MikeB; 06-21-2021 at 11:17 AM.

06-21-2021, 11:20 AM	#5
68 P.O.S. Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,662	Re: Removing pitman arm from center link The old BFH has never failed me lol __________________ 72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo

06-21-2021, 12:24 PM	#6
Accelo Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,295	Re: Removing pitman arm from center link Sometimes two pickle forks will work. One from each direction. May require two BFH (hammers). If you are not reusing the joint some heat applied to the OD can work wonders. Rick



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