need help with pitman arm PLEASE! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

4t5acp · 06-23-2003, 09:46 PM

I'm sure that pleanty of yall have faced this before, but this is my first time wrestling with a pitman arm. I just replaced my power steering gearbox on my '87 V1500 (K10) , well almost replaced it. I got the new gearbox on and the bolts to the frame torqued down, but now the fun part. I can't seem to get the end of the pitman arm spread apart enough to get it on the new shaft. I've tried several sizes of cold chisels to try to wedge it apart long enough to get it on the shaft, but nothing seems to be working.
Anybody got some good advice?

**old Rusty C10** · 06-23-2003, 10:49 PM

aint there a pitman arm tool ya can get to take it off bow about heat and then chiseling it?

**swervin ervin** · 06-23-2003, 10:56 PM

Yes, a good Pitman arm puller will make it a fairly easy job. I believe you can put a deposit on one at Autozone. They give you the money back when you take it back.

Izzy · 06-24-2003, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Yes, a good Pitman arm puller will make it a fairly easy job. I believe you can put a deposit on one at Autozone. They give you the money back when you take it back.

Yep, I've used their tool rental service a lot on the 83.

4t5acp · 06-24-2003, 05:56 PM

I used a puller to get it off the old steering box, but my problem is getting it back on the new shaft

79BIG10 · 06-24-2003, 06:35 PM

Are you getting the splines on correctly? the splines are very particular on that thing.

Side note- Make sure that the box is coorect for you're truck. I got one from AZ one time and after getting installed I turned steering wheel to the left and the wheels went to the right. Also vice versa. I was not a happy camper. Needless to say that manager heard about it and I got my box for free.

**swervin ervin** · 06-24-2003, 07:01 PM

Sounds like you have the wrong box. They are year specific. I believe they changed in 77 and again in 80. I know at least the 80 up was different. I know for sure where the column goes on the box is different sizes. They also went to metric fittings for the power steering hoses.

4t5acp · 06-26-2003, 10:22 PM

Thanks for all the advice, I finally got it on! The box was the correct one. I finally ended up just wedging the end of the pitman arm open with a thin cold chisel in the gap where the crossbolt cinches it together. Then I had my wife to get in the truck and barely move the steering wheel while i pushed/tapped the arm up onto the shaft. The splines were already started before i had her move the wheel side to side, it was just in a bind and didn't want to slide on.

06-23-2003, 09:46 PM	#1
4t5acp Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: NC Posts: 66	need help with pitman arm PLEASE! I'm sure that pleanty of yall have faced this before, but this is my first time wrestling with a pitman arm. I just replaced my power steering gearbox on my '87 V1500 (K10) , well almost replaced it. I got the new gearbox on and the bolts to the frame torqued down, but now the fun part. I can't seem to get the end of the pitman arm spread apart enough to get it on the new shaft. I've tried several sizes of cold chisels to try to wedge it apart long enough to get it on the shaft, but nothing seems to be working. Anybody got some good advice? __________________ Romans 10:9-10

06-23-2003, 10:49 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,345	aint there a pitman arm tool ya can get to take it off bow about heat and then chiseling it? __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

06-23-2003, 10:56 PM	#3
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Yes, a good Pitman arm puller will make it a fairly easy job. I believe you can put a deposit on one at Autozone. They give you the money back when you take it back. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

06-24-2003, 05:56 PM	#5
4t5acp Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: NC Posts: 66	I used a puller to get it off the old steering box, but my problem is getting it back on the new shaft __________________ Romans 10:9-10

06-24-2003, 06:35 PM	#6
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	Are you getting the splines on correctly? the splines are very particular on that thing. Side note- Make sure that the box is coorect for you're truck. I got one from AZ one time and after getting installed I turned steering wheel to the left and the wheels went to the right. Also vice versa. I was not a happy camper. Needless to say that manager heard about it and I got my box for free. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

06-24-2003, 07:01 PM	#7
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Sounds like you have the wrong box. They are year specific. I believe they changed in 77 and again in 80. I know at least the 80 up was different. I know for sure where the column goes on the box is different sizes. They also went to metric fittings for the power steering hoses.

06-26-2003, 10:22 PM	#8
4t5acp Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: NC Posts: 66	Thanks for all the advice, I finally got it on! The box was the correct one. I finally ended up just wedging the end of the pitman arm open with a thin cold chisel in the gap where the crossbolt cinches it together. Then I had my wife to get in the truck and barely move the steering wheel while i pushed/tapped the arm up onto the shaft. The splines were already started before i had her move the wheel side to side, it was just in a bind and didn't want to slide on. __________________ Romans 10:9-10



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