steering arm - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

djtlaz · 12-04-2005, 10:55 PM

Have any of you tried to remove the steering arm? If so how did you accomplish this. I have tried all day to get this thing off and it wont budge. If anyone of you have had success stories with this please fill me in. I have a 1971 k10 4x4 if this is any help.

**truckdude239** · 12-04-2005, 11:12 PM

you need an pitman arm puller most parts stores have them for loan spay some pb blaster on it and start whreching on it it come right off

djtlaz · 12-04-2005, 11:40 PM

should I expect some resistance. This thing hasn't budged at all.

rkarr · 12-04-2005, 11:43 PM

It's probably not going to come off w/o a puller...
I just bought one for about $20.00.. Well worthe the $$$
Hope it helps

djtlaz · 12-05-2005, 12:00 AM

Is it called pit arm puller? I went on a couple of local auto parts shop and put in pit arm puller and nothing came up.

**truckdude239** · 12-05-2005, 12:27 AM

idk thats what i call it lol alot of time you got to go to the store to find them

gringoloco · 12-05-2005, 03:21 AM

Pitman arm puller. Yes you will need it. After whackin' the arm with a hammer for a few hours, you'll be angry you didn't get the puller sooner. (Guess how I know)

Chris

sneakysnake · 12-05-2005, 03:56 PM

A pic

see ten · 12-05-2005, 05:38 PM

A pitman arm puller will not remove a steering arm. That is why it called a pitman arm puller not a pitman/steering arm puller. Are you needing to remove the steering arm on a 4x4? The steering arm is the part that is held on with 3 nuts to the steering knuckle. The pitman arm is held on with one nut to the steering box. You can remove the steering arm without a puller. Your steering arm has conical shaped washers, so by pulling up on it all you will succeed in doing is makeing it tighter. Take the three nuts off the steering arm. Get a large socket that is bigger in diameter than the conical washer. Hold the socket on top of the arm and strike it with a large hammer. The impact will shock (or vibrate) the washer right out. It shouldn't take more than one or two hits per washer. It's the same principle as using two hammers to remove a steering wheel (when a puller is unavailable). A large hammer can be placed on the center shaft of the column and then struck with another hammer of equal or greater size. The impact will make the steering wheel pop off in your lap. I have seen this question posted here several times before and I have seen many well intentioned people suggest pullers, torches, and other implements of destruction. Most of the time I think they end up ruining their steering knuckle and having to replace it. Somebody prove me wrong here! I have done this and I know it works. You can have that steering arm off in less than five minutes if you do it the way I have described. I think this could go in the FAQs. Anyone?

If a BFH worked on my K10 it ought to work for you.

sneakysnake · 12-06-2005, 10:47 AM

The differences

sneakysnake · 12-06-2005, 10:51 AM

sorry wrong pic

rkarr · 12-27-2005, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneakysnake

A pic

This is what I used... Worksed "magically"...
Hope you have the same results.

Mudder · 12-27-2005, 10:19 AM

It would be a good one for the FAQ if there weren't all the wrong answers before yours see ten. If someone starts reading this and doesn't finish, they are gonna run down and get a puller from the parts store that will be useless to them. This is a good example for why we made a 4x4 disscussion forum.

Hope it works for him. Sounds easy. A lot of guys have beat on those things all day.

bowtier · 12-27-2005, 02:49 PM

Yup we beat mine for a while, although not with the socket trick, that would have worked good. We ended up firing up the torch & burned that SOB off.

Gotta give the socket a try next time

soleeagle · 12-27-2005, 09:10 PM

I have done the socket trick and also another thing I found to work is to hit the side of the arm with a hammer beside the conical washer a couple of times untill the washer works itself up. This works if you dont have a socket at your side.

wanted · 12-29-2005, 01:28 AM

Those washers are also split, I usually hammer a thin screwdriver into the slot and they spread and pull right out. Then you'll still have pound on the arm to get it off. The first time is tricky but now it's fairly easy.

12-04-2005, 10:55 PM	#1
djtlaz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tempe,AZ Posts: 38	steering arm Have any of you tried to remove the steering arm? If so how did you accomplish this. I have tried all day to get this thing off and it wont budge. If anyone of you have had success stories with this please fill me in. I have a 1971 k10 4x4 if this is any help.

12-04-2005, 11:12 PM	#2
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: steering arm you need an pitman arm puller most parts stores have them for loan spay some pb blaster on it and start whreching on it it come right off __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

12-04-2005, 11:40 PM	#3
djtlaz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tempe,AZ Posts: 38	Re: steering arm should I expect some resistance. This thing hasn't budged at all.

12-04-2005, 11:43 PM	#4
rkarr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Roseville, CA Posts: 152	Re: steering arm It's probably not going to come off w/o a puller... I just bought one for about $20.00.. Well worthe the $$$ Hope it helps __________________ Avatar is a pic of "Before"... Just wait.. ---------------- 1969 Fleetside: Shortened frame for SWB, ECE 4-6 drop. ECE SS tank. All new ECE suspension. Rebuilt 12 bolt 3:73 with Eaton Posi. Front and rear disc brakes. Ramjet 350 and 700r-4 trans. 20" Centerline wheels with Kumho 295/45/20 tires (I hope they fit). Progress pics: http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...uck/?start=all ---------------- Seriously... It's nothing a large dose of cash can't fix... Right? After all, I can't take it with me when I go... Just gotta have enough to get there!!!

12-05-2005, 12:00 AM	#5
djtlaz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tempe,AZ Posts: 38	Re: steering arm Is it called pit arm puller? I went on a couple of local auto parts shop and put in pit arm puller and nothing came up.

12-05-2005, 12:27 AM	#6
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: steering arm idk thats what i call it lol alot of time you got to go to the store to find them __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

12-05-2005, 03:21 AM	#7
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,921	Re: steering arm Pitman arm puller. Yes you will need it. After whackin' the arm with a hammer for a few hours, you'll be angry you didn't get the puller sooner. (Guess how I know) Chris __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy

12-05-2005, 03:56 PM	#8
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: steering arm A pic Attached Images

12-05-2005, 05:38 PM	#9
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,074	Re: steering arm A pitman arm puller will not remove a steering arm. That is why it called a pitman arm puller not a pitman/steering arm puller. Are you needing to remove the steering arm on a 4x4? The steering arm is the part that is held on with 3 nuts to the steering knuckle. The pitman arm is held on with one nut to the steering box. You can remove the steering arm without a puller. Your steering arm has conical shaped washers, so by pulling up on it all you will succeed in doing is makeing it tighter. Take the three nuts off the steering arm. Get a large socket that is bigger in diameter than the conical washer. Hold the socket on top of the arm and strike it with a large hammer. The impact will shock (or vibrate) the washer right out. It shouldn't take more than one or two hits per washer. It's the same principle as using two hammers to remove a steering wheel (when a puller is unavailable). A large hammer can be placed on the center shaft of the column and then struck with another hammer of equal or greater size. The impact will make the steering wheel pop off in your lap. I have seen this question posted here several times before and I have seen many well intentioned people suggest pullers, torches, and other implements of destruction. Most of the time I think they end up ruining their steering knuckle and having to replace it. Somebody prove me wrong here! I have done this and I know it works. You can have that steering arm off in less than five minutes if you do it the way I have described. I think this could go in the FAQs. Anyone? If a BFH worked on my K10 it ought to work for you.

12-06-2005, 10:47 AM	#10
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: steering arm The differences Attached Images

12-06-2005, 10:51 AM	#11
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: steering arm sorry wrong pic Attached Images

12-27-2005, 10:19 AM	#13
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: steering arm It would be a good one for the FAQ if there weren't all the wrong answers before yours see ten. If someone starts reading this and doesn't finish, they are gonna run down and get a puller from the parts store that will be useless to them. This is a good example for why we made a 4x4 disscussion forum. Hope it works for him. Sounds easy. A lot of guys have beat on those things all day.

12-27-2005, 02:49 PM	#14
bowtier Nobody rides free Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 1,076	Re: steering arm Yup we beat mine for a while, although not with the socket trick, that would have worked good. We ended up firing up the torch & burned that SOB off. Gotta give the socket a try next time __________________ '71 C10 LWB 400SB/350TH '86 K2O LWB 350SB/400TH-6" tuff country lift, Shackle flip - plow truck '06 HHR - wifes wheels '01 Blazer - daily driver "It's better to burn out than it is to rust." -Neil Young

12-27-2005, 09:10 PM	#15
soleeagle Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Shelbyville, Indiana Posts: 614	Re: steering arm I have done the socket trick and also another thing I found to work is to hit the side of the arm with a hammer beside the conical washer a couple of times untill the washer works itself up. This works if you dont have a socket at your side. __________________ Chuck '85 Chevy Silverado 4X4 '91 Chevy 4X4 Suburban http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/545941

12-29-2005, 01:28 AM	#16
wanted Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: duluth, mn Posts: 63	Re: steering arm Those washers are also split, I usually hammer a thin screwdriver into the slot and they spread and pull right out. Then you'll still have pound on the arm to get it off. The first time is tricky but now it's fairly easy. Last edited by wanted; 12-29-2005 at 01:31 AM.



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