Steering Arm Help? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

87gmc · 09-10-2003, 01:42 AM

OK well over the weekend i bought a 4" lift kit that cam with everything. I got the rear done with no problems, but when it came to switching my steering arm out the damn thing wouldnt budge. ive tried everything. every manuel i have says nothing about how to get it off. Any ideas?

**swervin ervin** · 09-10-2003, 08:24 AM

You're talking about the pitman arm, what is on the steering box, correct. If so, you need to buy/rent a pitman arm puller for this job. No other way to get it off. I believe they may rent one at Autozone. They require a fee to rent it, but will give you full credit upon returning it. Or you can just keep it if you like. After all you have to pay the full price of the tool when you rent it.

87gmc · 09-10-2003, 01:09 PM

not the pitman arm, the pitman arm attaches to the tie rod which then connects to the steering arm, its a u shaped piece that the bolts on right by the drivers side disc brake.

ElGracho · 09-10-2003, 05:29 PM

He's talking about a 4x4, and the steering arm on the left knuckle. I tried to get one off too and ended up with the same results.

The trick is getting out out the tapered copper spacers between the bolts and the arm itself. I found a site about it once and will try to find it again.

**swervin ervin** · 09-10-2003, 05:34 PM

Oops my bad. I guess I missed the 4x4 part somehow.

Jason Spears · 09-10-2003, 06:24 PM

I checked the '87 service manual and there's nothing there.

Those copper "adapters" may have corroded themeselves to the studs in the knuckle. The machined faces of the arm and the knuckle may be corroded together too.

I guess you just have to try a good penetrant and/or heat. We have this awesome penetrant at work called "Anderol". It is amazing! I'm not sure if you can get it at stores. The penetrant available at the GM parts counter is supposed to be pretty good to but I've never tried it myself.

Oh yeah, the manual says not to reuse the nuts that hold the arm to the knuckle.

Good luck.

ElGracho · 09-10-2003, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Oops my bad. I guess I missed the 4x4 part somehow.

He didn't say 4x4, I just knew from my past struggle with the same thing...

TX_Mudder · 09-10-2003, 11:59 PM

There isn't any copper adaptors....

I think you are talking about the three cone washers that lie under the nuts.

Hit the steering arm from the SIDE, not from the top. It seems counterintuitive but will get the cone washers to loosen some.

As soon as they start to wiggle up (the cone washers) get them out with pliers or whatever. Be careful as new cone washers are, last time I checked, $10 a pop at your GM counter.

Yes, you are supposed to use new nuts. I did not and used red loctite. Your call.

As mentioned, penetrating spray is helpful (marginally.) Heat works too - heat up the steering arm, then use water one the cone washers to cool just them. Then smack steering on on side.

It is a huge PITA that we all go through but it's a one time deal.

HTH

87gmc · 09-11-2003, 02:28 AM

thanks guy finally got it off and the lift on. But now i have a new problem the front drive shaft hits my exhaust so i have to buy new exhaust

but its ok i wanted to do that anyways just not as soon as i will have to. Any ideas on the exhaust?

09-10-2003, 01:42 AM	#1
87gmc I Got My Engine!!!!! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Palmer, AK Posts: 253	Steering Arm Help? OK well over the weekend i bought a 4" lift kit that cam with everything. I got the rear done with no problems, but when it came to switching my steering arm out the damn thing wouldnt budge. ive tried everything. every manuel i have says nothing about how to get it off. Any ideas? __________________ F.O.R.D. "F*cked Over Rebuilt Dodge" -+-+-+-+Cameron+-+-+-+- 1987 GMC HIGH SIERRA LWB 1500 32X11.50 383 TBI/Vortec Heads/Intake MSD Ignition Dual Exhaust Custom Pinstriping Sweet interior & stereo http://www.cgalvin29.freehomepage.com

09-10-2003, 08:24 AM	#2
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	You're talking about the pitman arm, what is on the steering box, correct. If so, you need to buy/rent a pitman arm puller for this job. No other way to get it off. I believe they may rent one at Autozone. They require a fee to rent it, but will give you full credit upon returning it. Or you can just keep it if you like. After all you have to pay the full price of the tool when you rent it. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

09-10-2003, 01:09 PM	#3
87gmc I Got My Engine!!!!! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Palmer, AK Posts: 253	not the pitman arm, the pitman arm attaches to the tie rod which then connects to the steering arm, its a u shaped piece that the bolts on right by the drivers side disc brake. __________________ F.O.R.D. "F*cked Over Rebuilt Dodge" -+-+-+-+Cameron+-+-+-+- 1987 GMC HIGH SIERRA LWB 1500 32X11.50 383 TBI/Vortec Heads/Intake MSD Ignition Dual Exhaust Custom Pinstriping Sweet interior & stereo http://www.cgalvin29.freehomepage.com

09-10-2003, 05:29 PM	#4
ElGracho Gentleman Jim Driver Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Poulsbo, WA Posts: 1,553	He's talking about a 4x4, and the steering arm on the left knuckle. I tried to get one off too and ended up with the same results. The trick is getting out out the tapered copper spacers between the bolts and the arm itself. I found a site about it once and will try to find it again. __________________ Joe '75 GMC Gentleman Jim '84 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super duper plain (manual steering, manual brakes, no dome light, no cig lighter) '85 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super plain Vortec 4.8 4L60E trans also: '81 K30, '83 C30 Crew Dually, '84 M1028 CUCV, '85 M1009 CUCV, another '85 C10 SWB, '89 R3500 Flatbed

09-10-2003, 11:59 PM	#8
TX_Mudder Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 126	There isn't any copper adaptors.... I think you are talking about the three cone washers that lie under the nuts. Hit the steering arm from the SIDE, not from the top. It seems counterintuitive but will get the cone washers to loosen some. As soon as they start to wiggle up (the cone washers) get them out with pliers or whatever. Be careful as new cone washers are, last time I checked, $10 a pop at your GM counter. Yes, you are supposed to use new nuts. I did not and used red loctite. Your call. As mentioned, penetrating spray is helpful (marginally.) Heat works too - heat up the steering arm, then use water one the cone washers to cool just them. Then smack steering on on side. It is a huge PITA that we all go through but it's a one time deal. HTH __________________ http://home.houston.rr.com/chevy73/

09-10-2003, 05:34 PM	#5
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Oops my bad. I guess I missed the 4x4 part somehow.

09-10-2003, 06:24 PM	#6
Jason Spears Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Stoney Creek, ON Posts: 89	I checked the '87 service manual and there's nothing there. Those copper "adapters" may have corroded themeselves to the studs in the knuckle. The machined faces of the arm and the knuckle may be corroded together too. I guess you just have to try a good penetrant and/or heat. We have this awesome penetrant at work called "Anderol". It is amazing! I'm not sure if you can get it at stores. The penetrant available at the GM parts counter is supposed to be pretty good to but I've never tried it myself. Oh yeah, the manual says not to reuse the nuts that hold the arm to the knuckle. Good luck.

09-11-2003, 02:28 AM	#9
87gmc I Got My Engine!!!!! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Palmer, AK Posts: 253	thanks guy finally got it off and the lift on. But now i have a new problem the front drive shaft hits my exhaust so i have to buy new exhaust but its ok i wanted to do that anyways just not as soon as i will have to. Any ideas on the exhaust? __________________ F.O.R.D. "F*cked Over Rebuilt Dodge" -+-+-+-+Cameron+-+-+-+- 1987 GMC HIGH SIERRA LWB 1500 32X11.50 383 TBI/Vortec Heads/Intake MSD Ignition Dual Exhaust Custom Pinstriping Sweet interior & stereo http://www.cgalvin29.freehomepage.com

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