well the truck is still sitting where it's been since the pitman arm issue popped up. been thinking about how to get it off and have also asked around... Heat seams to be the predominate answer. so I started thinking about it and the more I think about it the less sense it makes. heat expands metals causing them to tighten up, cold contracts metals... wouldnt it make more sense to cool the arm down to contract the metal, then spray the crap out of it with penetrating oil? I'd think that if the metals contract enough for the oil to get in deeper, the sector shaft may loosen its grip. Then, once I think it's soaked enough, put the puller tool back on, put pressure on the arm once again and wack it from the top with a sledg & piece of wood.

what do you guys think?

 

Don't heat the shaft. Heat the arm close to the shaft, the heat will expand the arm first before the shaft heats up. You will only have a few minutes to work with it before the shaft reaches temps close to the arm temp.
Heat the arm fast the start beating the crap out of it before the heat has a chance to expand the shaft.
If I had access to a torch, I may have been able to remove mine this way too. My BIC lighter just wouldn't cut it though!

 

exactly. . . point the torch at the arm only and heat it up. granted the heat will transfer to the steering shaft, the arm will be hotter and expand more.

 

yeah but by heating the shaft isnt it going to expand causing the mating surfaces to get tighter?

 

Eventually yes the shaft will expand also but by applying the heat directly to the arm, the heat will expand the arm first before the shaft but wait too long and both parts will be the same temp and both be expanded. Then you would need to let it cool and try again.
Have you tried a "Ball joint" remover? You know the long bar with a forked wedge on the end? If you have one big enough that may work but don't bust the steering box houseing around the shaft.
Another idea if it is jammed on that tight is bust out the "Sawsall" and try to cut thru the arm but not all the way. Just a hair from cutting thru stop and beat a chisle in there and that will free it up. I have neither of these tools so I didn't try it. I also lacked the ***** to try it.

 

I've used the saws all method on control arm bushings... works great for collapsing the shell in on itself so it'll pop out.

as for heat, my "torch" (propane) is hella weak for some reason and wont put out the blue flame... (yellow only) worked great when I got it but not so great now.. any ideas as to why its not as hot?

If I can get home before 7~730 tonight I'll see what I can do with it. I did shoot it with liquid wrench before leaving... I still think spraying it with the freeze spray then the liquid wrench might do it...

 

not enough air. . .may need a little cleaning.

 

throttle body cleaner... while it's lit???

thanks, I'll clean it up and see how it does.

 

Go getthat nasty pitman arm Steve!!

 

lol, hey! I'm not going to let some 5 lb chunk of iron beat me!!!