How do you replace the pitman arm in a Chevy truck?

Tighten the center bolt to pull the pitman are off of the steering gear shaft. Hold the old pitman arm next to the new pitman arm and transfer the paint line measurement to the replacement arm using the paint marker.

How do you remove a pitman arm seal?

Step 3: Remove the retaining bolt from the pitman arm. To access the pitman arm shaft seal, you must remove the pitman arm from the steering box. The large bolt connecting the pitman arm to the steering box must be removed first. The bolt is typically 1-5/16”, but can vary in size.

How is the pitman arm connected to the steering box?

In most vehicles, steering boxes are equipped with a shaft that connects to the pitman arm. This shaft is responsible for sending all force and direction from the steering box to the pitman arm and steering components. The fluid within the steering box must remain inside of the unit, despite the shaft being a potential source of leakage.

What happens if the pitman arm wears out?

The steering wheel is connected to a steering box, which transfers motion through the pitman arm to the steering linkage, which turns the wheels. If the pitman arm wears out, you’ll have sloppy steering, which can be dangerous.

How do you replace the pitman arm on a GMC Truck?

Use a cutoff wheel to cut a slot in the pitman arm, as deep as possible without hitting the splines, then using a chisel, crack the pitman arm, and it should fall right off. Which puller were you using by chance? I’ve done it twice on my obs without issue, and a 99 as well and it cleared fine.

What to do if your pitman arm is not installed?

If you’re doing both the idler arm and the Pitman today, this is where you will appreciate the fact that you have not installed the idler arm yet. If you can’t get the Pitman arm out, drop the idler arm down by removing the 2 bolts that attach it to the frame. Whew! Put some antisieze grease on the steering box’s tapered bolt.

How do you replace a steering shaft on a pitman?

Pack grease up into the steering box around the top of the tapered bolt. This will help keep out dirt and moisture. Prepare a new cotter pin by cutting down the length of one side to match the one you removed. Take a rag and wipe the junk away from the steering shaft and the centerlink hole.

What’s the difference between Pitman and idler arms?

Idler Arms and Pitman Arms are part of your steering system that links your steering box to the center link, and then on to the hub assemblies. The Pitman Arm, also known as the “steering arm,” is the main player while the idler arm supports the other side and allows the proper movement…

What do you need to remove a pitman arm puller?

Pitman arm puller, socket and breaker bar are necessary to remove the bolts and nuts as well. Make sure the wrench and socket are a good fit for the bolts and nuts.

How do you remove a pitman shaft seal?

Using a ratchet, turn the toolâ€™s center screw until the pitman arm releases. Tip: You can use a mallet to help in the removal of this end of the pitman arm if necessary. Gently tap the arm or tool to pop it loose.

What’s the best way to remove a pitman?

Tools and Materials. The easiest and quickest way to remove the pitman is by having the correct tools for the job. It makes it safer too. A drive wrench and sockets is necessary for loosening bolts and nuts. Pitman arm puller, socket and breaker bar are necessary to remove the bolts and nuts as well.

How to replace your pitman arm or steering arm?

Lower the truck down on the jack stand and remove the wheel. You have to remove the big nut that holds the Pitman arm to the steering box. In this case, it was a 1-5/16 nut that was torqued to 180 ft lbs. I used a 3/4″ drive socket and a big mother breaker bar. I was all ready for a battle, and it turned out that the nut was hardly tight at all.

Where is the pitman arm on a Chevy truck?

Locate the steering gear box on the truck. It’s on the driver’s side frame rail and has a dog-legged arm that comes off of it which is the pitman arm.

How do you remove an arm from a steering shaft?

Use a Pitman arm puller to remove the arm. Take your Pitman arm puller and remove the arm from the steering shaft. It will release from the shaft and drop down some, but the arm is still being held up by the centerlink.

How big is the nut on a pitman arm?

What kind of steering does a pitman arm use?

There are a few different types of steering out there, and one of the older models is known as recirculating ball steering. The steering wheel is connected to a steering box, which transfers motion through the pitman arm to the steering linkage, which turns the wheels.

How does a pitman arm puller tool work?

Place the pitman arm puller tool on the pitman arm so that the center bolt is on the middle of the shaft and the hooks on the side of the tool slide behind the pitman arm. Tighten the center bolt to pull the pitman are off of the steering gear shaft.

How do you replace a pitman arm shaft?

Step 7: Install the new seal. Insert the new pitman arm shaft seal around the shaft. If necessary, take the old seal or a large socket and set it against the new seal. Gently tap the old seal or socket with your mallet to push the new seal into place. Then remove the old seal or socket. Insert any gaskets as needed in the order they were removed.

What to do if your pitman arm is loose?

Loose is never good when you’re talking about steering. Take your Pitman arm puller and remove the arm from the steering shaft. It will release from the shaft and drop down some, but the arm is still being held up by the centerlink. Next, remove the cotter pin and the large nut that holds the Pitman to the center link.

How is the pitman arm connected to the steering wheel?

The steering wheel is connected to a steering box, which transfers motion through the pitman arm to the steering linkage, which turns the wheels.

How do you remove pitman arm from steering box?

Step 4: Remove the pitman arm from the steering box. Insert the pitman arm removal tool into the gap between the steering box and the retaining bolt. Using a ratchet, turn the toolâ€™s center screw until the pitman arm releases. Tip: You can use a mallet to help in the removal of this end of the pitman arm if necessary.

How big is the bolt on a pitman arm?

The large bolt connecting the pitman arm to the steering box must be removed first. The bolt is typically 1-5/16”, but can vary in size. It will be torqued and will most likely need to be removed with a breaker bar. Using the appropriate tools, remove this bolt.

When did the Chevy S-10 pickup truck come out?

The Chevy S-10 is a compact pickup truck manufactured by the Chevrolet division of General Motors between 1982 and 2004. This model has three generations. Are you looking for repair parts for your Chevy S-10?

How do you remove a Pitman from an idler arm?

Use a pickle fork or a puller to separate the Pitman from the centerlink. You should be able to remove the Pitman by pulling down on the centerlink and slipping it out. If you’re doing both the idler arm and the Pitman today, this is where you will appreciate the fact that you have not installed the idler arm yet.

What do Pitman arms and idler arms do?

How to remove a bad pitman arm, fast?

When your Pitman Arm is JUNK and you need to REPLACE IT, this is the only way to do it and keeps your sanity at the same time 🙂 You will spend hours on removing a rusted and stuck on steering/pitman arm, DO THIS and have it off in 5 minutes. This method will keep you from destroying you steering box with heat or pounding on it. Loading…

How do you replace the pitman arm in a Chevy truck?