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Pitman idler arm replacement...how hard is it to do?

Max Attitude

Typical White Person
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Location
Alto, MI
I have never done it before...had someone do it on my old truck but I'm looking for any ways to save myself money. Anyone done it? How hard is it? I can wrench...do all maintenance, replaced shocks, did the lift blocks in the rear, exhaust install...ect.
 
You'll need a big socket and a puller to get the pittman arm off. Possibly a fork to separate the idler and pittman arms from the centerlink also. It's not hard to do but keep in mind you should have an alignment to re-center the steering wheel when you're done.

Last one I did was on a late 90's F350 and Ford thought it was necessary to put loctitie on the splines of the steering box. Actually broke a 3 jaw puller until we got a slide hammer involved.
 
I had mine done by a shop a couple of years ago to avoid the issues that Grady outlines above. It was worth a couple hundred bucks to not have to mess with it and/or screw something up myself. I had them put on Cognito pitman and idler arm braces while they were at it.
 
You'll need a big socket and a puller to get the pittman arm off. Possibly a fork to separate the idler and pittman arms from the centerlink also. It's not hard to do but keep in mind you should have an alignment to re-center the steering wheel when you're done.

Last one I did was on a late 90's F350 and Ford thought it was necessary to put loctitie on the splines of the steering box. Actually broke a 3 jaw puller until we got a slide hammer involved.

What kind of puller? Just a regular 3 jaw?
 
We had a medium size 3-jaw puller, but it clearly wasn't heavy duty enough. The threaded part that the bolt in the center goes through stripped when it was tightened with an impact.

Ended up using a 5# Snap-On slide hammer with jaws. I thought for sure it was going to damage the gearbox. If it were mine, I would pay someone else to do it again... you have to take it in for an alignment anyhow.
 
Its really easy and straight forward, just kind of a pain in the ass. Most of the time the pitman arm doesnt like to break loose. The basic principle is really easy though.
 
Its really easy and straight forward, just kind of a pain in the ass. Most of the time the pitman arm doesnt like to break loose. The basic principle is really easy though.

That's what I like to hear. ):h ....kinda

I'll probably try doing it myself.
 
you gotta have a pitman arm puller!!! I got mine from Napa, make sure you get the large one. I got one that looked big enough but had to take it back to get the big one. if you dont use a pitman arm puller you could screw up seal on your power steering pump.
 
you gotta have a pitman arm puller!!! I got mine from Napa, make sure you get the large one. I got one that looked big enough but had to take it back to get the big one. if you dont use a pitman arm puller you could screw up seal on your power steering pump.

Cool, thanks...how much do those run?
 
I cant remember right off hand but it wasn't too much.
It also helps to have air tools.
You might have to take the power steering pump loose too but DONT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE BOLTS ARE LOOSE!!!!!!
I did. those bolts are about 30 bucks a piece. I know. don't ask.
 
I just did a pitman and idler on a 02 truck. Strait forward except getting the pitman arm off, it wanted to stay on.
I removed the bolts for the steering box so my snap on puller would cup the arm and then hit it with the gun.
 
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