Idler and Pitman arm worn or not?

[cantburn]

Darcane, Just rebuilt everthing on the front of a '92 K1500. Since it was 4x4, I had to remove the steering box to get the Pitman arm off. Since you have a 2x4, you should have it relatively easy. The hardest part is the nut on the steering box. Since it is the original, it is on there pretty good. Take a pickle fork and shove it into the joint between the center link and arm and whack on it until it pops loose. Now I am not sure what size that nut is but if you manage to get the right socket you can bust it loose with a breaker bar. I had to use a 14 inch cresent wrench and a 2.5 lb sledge. Once the nut is off, put your puller on it and cinch it down tight. If you have one of those small butane torches, run the flame over the Pitman arm hub, don't let it sit in one area too long. Every now and then screw down on the puller until you feel the arm start to move. Stop using the torch and take the arm the rerst of the way off. Take a good look at the way the hub of the arm looks...it is "keyed" and will only go back on the correct way. Also, the shaft on the steering box is tapered and you may have to seat the new arm on the shaft with a large socket and hammer. Then, just put the nut back on and tighten the nut to specs. Good luck....and most likely you will notice a difference in the way the truck handles.