ptreaster

What is the best way to remove the pitman arm and what size is the nut?

Radi

33mm. 1-5/16" will be close enough to fit. Use a pitman arm puller, they're cheap. You can beat on it with a pickle fork, but I don't like what that does to the sector shaft bearings.

DenaliRanger1

You need a pitman arm puller. Around $40. Tighten it down. Hit it with a hammer. Tighten again. And so on until it pop's off.

Radi

Yep.
Autozone has them for $15. Not shop quality but good enough for occasional use. Just wanted to point that out in case $40 for a better puller is an issue and the OP is tempted to use a pickle fork instead.

ptreaster

Ok 1-5/16" is what I measured also, so should I use an impact gun or by hand?

mr white

You can rent them from oreilly for free.

ptreaster

Ok got the socket and the nut came right off, but pitman arm will not come off! I have been putting PB Blaster on it for a week! Any ideas??

wiggles

That's why those ^^^ guys were talking about a pitman arm puller, go rent one

ptreaster

Ya I got one, no go! I even ran it up tight with an impact gun and hit with a sledge hammer! It won't come off!

wiggles

Time to cut the pitman then

Radi

You could try heating it up while the puller is putting pressure on it.

ptreaster

I don't know why I didn't think of that, I'm cutting it off Thanks!

jbsjunk

I get the puller tight, then light the torch and heat up a spot on the arm keeping the flame away from the seal. Heat it until it's a dull glow in the spot and it usually pops free. It's a tapered fit like a ball joint, with splines in the pitman's case.

wiggles

Don't go too deep

ptreaster

Yep! I cut almost all the way thru on opposite sides and them the puller tool it right off!
Thanks again for all the help!