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Stubborn pitman arm removal #3117100
01/27/23 04:10 PM
01/27/23 04:10 PM
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Mo.
racerx Offline OP
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Anyone here has that issue? The truck is a 95 Ram 2wd.Pitman arm puller isn't getting it. Thought about heating it but I'm not sure if there anything in the gear box like seals will be harm...........Thank for any advice.

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: racerx] #3117286
01/28/23 02:17 PM
01/28/23 02:17 PM
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rust belt
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Moparite Offline
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Have you tried hitting the end of the puller with a hammer? Usually the shock will break it loose.

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: Moparite] #3117353
01/28/23 08:44 PM
01/28/23 08:44 PM
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Mo.
racerx Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Moparite
Have you tried hitting the end of the puller with a hammer? Usually the shock will break it loose.

I like to try an google automotive repair issues before posting., one guy actually use that method for removal i had no luck with it .I ended up taking a angle grinder and carefully cut a small section out of the pitman arm then chisel it out. Then use the puller with a in pack and it came lose.......Thanks for the response. up

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: racerx] #3117407
01/29/23 12:46 AM
01/29/23 12:46 AM
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Florida
BDW Offline
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Interesting, got a pic of the cut/arm?

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: BDW] #3117463
01/29/23 09:57 AM
01/29/23 09:57 AM
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Mo.
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Originally Posted by BDW
Interesting, got a pic of the cut/arm?

I'll retrieve it from the trash can take a picture of it and see if i can post it.I haven't posted a picture in years here so bear with me...Lol.

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: racerx] #3121621
02/14/23 10:11 PM
02/14/23 10:11 PM
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Seattle, WA
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375inStroke Offline
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Had same problem on a '98 1500. Had to tighten the puller to where I could feel it starting to strip. I then had a 1" piece of rebar I zip tied in place so it was resting on the top of the arm, and I could swing a sledge hammer from above. Did the trick, and I didn't hit the radiator, either.

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: racerx] #3123181
02/20/23 09:47 PM
02/20/23 09:47 PM
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Atlanta, GA
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mgoblue9798 Offline
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Smack the splined end of the pitman arm with the ball end of a ball peen hammer. Works on ball joints (hit the spindle) and tie rod ends as well.

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: racerx] #3123598
02/22/23 09:01 AM
02/22/23 09:01 AM
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east side of Ohio
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Dave


1981 Dodge D150 360 auto
Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: basketcase] #3123703
02/22/23 03:29 PM
02/22/23 03:29 PM
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Freeport IL USA
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Originally Posted by basketcase
.


I will start with #2, then its #4 and very quickly #5 (I have several options for #5, some work better in some places then other options). If it doesn't look good to start with I start at 4 then turn to 5 after the 1st try.

I've had a welding shop for years. When ever my son was working on something metal, he might fight with it a few minutes, before he took a break. While on the break he told the item it had one more chance, it was in a welding shop, we had things there to make metal cooperate. The next try was very often successful! I always got a good laugh out of that. I don't know if the break was what made the difference, or it the metal object actually somehow got the message, shruggy but I was amazed how well it worked. work I have found myself saying the same thing sometimes. realcrazy grin

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: poorboy] #3123755
02/22/23 05:51 PM
02/22/23 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by poorboy
Originally Posted by basketcase
.


I will start with #2, then its #4 and very quickly #5 (I have several options for #5, some work better in some places then other options). If it doesn't look good to start with I start at 4 then turn to 5 after the 1st try.

I've had a welding shop for years. When ever my son was working on something metal, he might fight with it a few minutes, before he took a break. While on the break he told the item it had one more chance, it was in a welding shop, we had things there to make metal cooperate. The next try was very often successful! I always got a good laugh out of that. I don't know if the break was what made the difference, or it the metal object actually somehow got the message, shruggy but I was amazed how well it worked. work I have found myself saying the same thing sometimes. realcrazy grin


I've experienced this as well. It's like the metal relaxes and that breaks things loose naturally.
I just adds to the time lost part.

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: BDW] #3125179
02/28/23 01:45 AM
02/28/23 01:45 AM
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Mo.
racerx Offline OP
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Originally Posted by BDW
Interesting, got a pic of the cut/arm?

20230129_124520.jpg
Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: racerx] #3125226
02/28/23 10:51 AM
02/28/23 10:51 AM
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Florida
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Thx for the pic, I see you cut a whole chunk out.
I wonder if a single cut would have given enough relief to pull it?

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: racerx] #3125336
02/28/23 03:19 PM
02/28/23 03:19 PM
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I have never had one that would not come off with the puller and a touch of heat. Crank the puller tight. Put some heat to it and a good wack on the puller bolt. Some easy some tough but never more than 10 to 15 minutes and its off.

Last edited by NITROUSN; 02/28/23 03:20 PM.
Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: BDW] #3125337
02/28/23 03:27 PM
02/28/23 03:27 PM
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Freeport IL USA
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A single cut would require the cut to be split open with a chisel to relieve the pressure. Not the easiest thing to do with a splined shaft, the metal doesn't like to expand very well across the splines. A single cut will relieve the area on both sides of the cut for a few splines, but not much relief for 3/4 of the diameter.

Making 2 cuts make it easier to chisel a chunk out (your not as concerned about damaging the splines when you can just break a chunk out), which relieves the entire removed splined area between the cuts, and then relieves the pressure on a few splines either side of each end of the cutout, which could amount to relief of as much, or more the 1/2 the diameter of the splined shaft.

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: NITROUSN] #3125543
03/01/23 08:23 AM
03/01/23 08:23 AM
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Mo.
racerx Offline OP
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Originally Posted by NITROUSN
I have never had one that would not come off with the puller and a touch of heat. Crank the puller tight. Put some heat to it and a good wack on the puller bolt. Some easy some tough but never more than 10 to 15 minutes and its off.

I thought about heating it but wasn't sure if the gear box had seals that could get damage from heating. Also the puller that was use was that of a HF quality that was made of cast that kept bending.

Re: Stubborn pitman arm removal [Re: racerx] #3125630
03/01/23 12:44 PM
03/01/23 12:44 PM
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A trick that sometimes works for me is to cut a very deep slot as cutting as close to the bottom of the spline as possible.

Drive a metal chisel into the slot to separate edges of the slot and release the "squeeze" the arm has on the shaft. Don't go crazy just enough to release it. I leave the puller tension-ed on it when I start to chisel.

On a side note if you are afraid of heat, like I am around a seal, remember that a grinder will transfer a lot of heat to the part also, work slow.







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