I started my work on my truck today. I changed the idler arm, but I havnt drove it yet. Tomorrow im changing the pitman arm and pass side outer tie. Maybe the lower ball joints if i have time. Hope it will go down the road straight after alignment after all this.

 

Suspension parts are one of the quickest things to go.

 

Couldnt even get the pitman arm to move off the splined shaft. I was using a pitman arm puller and it broke on me. I guess I will have to put the heat on it with a torch tomorrow or just take it to someone to have it done. Is there any suggestions about how to get it off there? There isnt much room to do much else.

 

grind it off that is what i had to do to mine last weekend

 

how did you grind it off without messing the splines up on your power steering box? Did you just grind it down thin and then knock it off with hammer or something?

 

To get more room, unbolt the 2 lower bolts on the steering box. Loosen the upper bolt. Let the steering box pivot down. That will give you tons more room. Use a impact wrench if you have to, to help.

 

I just ended up replacing the steering gear box while replacing my pitman arm.
I will add that: I also needed to replace the PS lines, and those were corroded in place (pump and box). So, in my case, it made a little more sense.

Kinda a pain in the butt to get to with that crossmember there, eh?

 

thanks for all the info. i will try unbolting 2 lower bolts and loosening the upper 1 and see if i can get it that way. If I have to i guess i will replace my gear box, but i really dont want to.

 

I got my pitman arm changed today. It was a major PITA and I stained my guts out. I had to get a bigger puller, take the bottom bolts out of gear box and loosen the top bolt heat it up with a torch and put a BA breaker bar on it. I finally got enough pressure on it taped it with a hammer a couple of times and it popped right off. Tomorrow it will be time for the lower ball joints and outer tie rod end (pass side), and monday morning off to get it aligned.

 

Cool! The Lower ball joints will be even worst of a PITA! If you haven't already got it, get a press to get them out and in.