I was thinking about installing some new idler and pitman arms. What type of puller and size do you need for the pitman arm? Here is a link to several from Sears.

Thanks!

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Tools_Mechanics+Tools_Automotive+Spe cialty+Tools?keyword=pitman&sLevel=0|1|2

Anyone? Can I use one of the fork style with an air hammer gun?

Thanks!

Do not use a fork type on it, I've read where it damages the box bad. I used a regular pitman arm puller but had to un bolt the box to get it off. If it the first time your going to need a good impact gun and soak it a lot before hand.If this does not work you might have to split the arm to get it to break free..

I just removed my pittman arm last week to install a new steering box in my '85 1ton crew. I had no problems removing with a ratchet. Borrowed the puller set from the parts supply loaner program. Good luck!

I just removed my pittman arm last week to install a new steering box in my '85 1ton crew. I had no problems removing with a ratchet. Borrowed the puller set from the parts supply loaner program. Good luck! I guess you got lucky , mine was a pain ...

Do not use a fork type on it, I've read where it damages the box bad. I used a regular pitman arm puller but had to un bolt the box to get it off. If it the first time your going to need a good impact gun and soak it a lot before hand.If this does not work you might have to split the arm to get it to break free..


Thats how we did mine. You've got to unbolt the steering box to get enough room.

I know Mac tools makes a low profile puller, so you don't have to unbolt the box.

I know Mac tools makes a low profile puller, so you don't have to unbolt the box.
My buddies a Mac guy and he told me about that puller...after I was done...

For as many times as you are going to use it.....you don't need to spend the money on a Mac puller. Use the KD one in the link and you will be fine. Pull the mounting bolts and push the box to the rear of the truck and stick the puller on. It doesn't need to come right out. If you start to get the puller tight and the arm doesn't move hit the pitman with a punch while the puller is still on and that will jar it loose. Good luck.

I also had to undo the three bolts to shift the steering box enough to put the pitman puller on. I picked my puller up at autozone(yes i know:shake:) for $15 worked fine.

No fork!!! My mechanic just bought me a steering box because he bent the pitman shaft removing the arm with a fork.
Anyone? Can I use one of the fork style with an air hammer gun?

Thanks!

I thought the first one in the Sears page looked like a low profile version where the nut was inside the puller and out of the way. Of course it is the most expensive too.

Actually my local Autozone will loan you the tools if you leave a refundable deposit. I might go that route.

I don't mind dropping some $ on tools. You can never have enough tools right?

I bought the parts today at my local Chevy dealer for around $230 for both the idler and pitman arms. I also ordered the Cognito support kit for $215. Hopefully I get some more mileage than the 40K+ I had when they started going bad. I wish I would have known about the support kit earlier.

Out!

Here is a cheaper version of the puller that says it works for 1998-2002 full size GM trucks. Are they the same as the new one?

http://http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-6496.html (http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-6496.html)

Out!

Anywhere to buy Mac tools online, or have a link or part number for the MAC puller?

Anywhere to buy Mac tools online, or have a link or part number for the MAC puller?

How about this:
http://www.mactools.com/Mac/Mac+Products/Catalog/Automotive+Specialty/Pullers/Specialty/Pittman+Arm
http://www.mactools.com/Mac/Mac+Products/Catalog/Automotive+Specialty/Pullers/Specialty/Power+Steering-Alternator+Pull

Here is a cheaper version of the puller that says it works for 1998-2002 full size GM trucks. Are they the same as the new one?

http://http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-6496.html (http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/OTC-6496.html)

Out!


That looks like the mac one I was talking about.

So I was wondering if it would be possible just to use a cut off tool and cut the pitman arm off. I think I can get at it and make a clean cut, but my only concern would be screwing up the splines.

I found a local Mac distributor with the compact pitman puller, so I can pick one up tomorrow if I want for $99.

Out!

I paid $15. at autozone it worked fine once I un-bolted the box.

The more I look at it, the more I think it is best just to move the steering box so you can get at the pitman arm with a standard puller.

I am gonna tear into it Friday after I get fat and happy on some Tday grub and a few brews!

Out!

I pulled my old and installed my new idler aand pitman arms yesterday, along with the Cognito support kit. Overall, everything went pretty well except my pitman arm was a SOB to get off and the drag link on the idler arm was a little hard too. I had to use a breaker bar and a cheater on top of that for the pitman arm.

I ended up pulling the bolts on the steering box to get the pitman arm puller to work. You need to be careful not to bend or crack your power steering fluid lines when moving the steering box.

I don't think my idler arm was shot, but the pitman was definitely. I didm't do the tie rods as they seem to be tight still.

I drove it a few miles afterward and the steering is real tight now. Just like worn shocks, you forget how good they are when new since they wear out slowly.

By the way, I ordered the Cognito kit from Norcal Truck on Sunday and had the parts by Wednesday with free shipping. Good service!

Out!

Great to hear... good job.

Whered you get your replacement pitman and idler arms? I need to get them.

I got mine at the dealer and it was the lowest price I could find, believe it or not. I paid around $230 for the pair.

I see Kennedy has pretty good prices on both the pitman and ilder arms, as well as the Cognito kit.

Out!

yea if you dont wanna take off the box the low pro one would work.

Moog , in my opinion, makes a better than stock isler arm and pitman arm. Bought mine at Oreillys auto parts, one was $92 and one was $88. The kicker is Lifetime Warranty.

I used the one like the 30.99 one in the 1st link. No unbolting.

Napa was $165 with tax for the pair of parts.

I don't mean to hijack this thread but quick question...Is there anything to watch out for if the steering box has to be unbolted? Breaking lines or anything of the sort? I'm going to do pit/idler arm project this weekend. I've been pre-soaking all of the points of disassembly for 3 days so far hoping this will help. My truck now has 112,000 miles and they've never been changed. I'm hoping for a drastic improvement.

thanks,
Gavin

This sounds like a good write up for the DIY section with some nice pictures. It would be very helpful for future diy'ers.

I had to push the steering box up and away from me to get the puller on and the wrench to work. You need to be careful not to break the power steering fluid line. I stuck a long punch through the lower steering box mount hole in the frame and then wedged in a handle of a ball pein hammer between the punch and the steering box to hold the box in the correct position.

Out!

Changed both pitman and idler last weekend. Went pretty smooth (if you have the tools=pitman puller). I needed to borrow a pickle fork from a buddy to get both arms disconnected from the center link. Idler was easy, pitman on the other hand was more time consuming. Had to unbolt the steering box and rock it towards the rear of the truck. Still barely got the puller on though (15.99 AutoZone). 18" breaker bar on the puller and a couple taps with a mallet and it released. Improved the steering play tremendously as I was really chasing it before. 285's and craked T-bars for the last 55,000 miles on the original set of arms. It was definitely time.

Others will agree with this...I will save a lot of time the next time just by being familiar with the process. Such is life...live and learn.

I don't mean to hijack this thread but quick question...Is there anything to watch out for if the steering box has to be unbolted? Breaking lines or anything of the sort? I'm going to do pit/idler arm project this weekend. I've been pre-soaking all of the points of disassembly for 3 days so far hoping this will help. My truck now has 112,000 miles and they've never been changed. I'm hoping for a drastic improvement.

thanks,
Gavin Did mine about 3 months ago , and now I think my power steering pressure line is leaking...

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g225/CHEVYJEFF/FUNNAY/motivator4136030.jpg

Sounds like this job would almost be easier if you just took it up to a local shop and had them do it. It's too cold up here for me to be crawling up under there any more this season.

Auto part stores sometimes have them where you can rent them.

Sounds like this job would almost be easier if you just took it up to a local shop and had them do it. It's too cold up here for me to be crawling up under there any more this season.

Easier...yes, but my dealer wanted $175 labor to change both arms. I didn't check a local shop for a price. I opted to do it myself and use the money savings to buy some new tools. Obviously, from the picture a couple posts up this procedure seems to vary a lot from truck to truck from easy to a PITA!