Removing ball joint from Pitman Arm

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04-17-2009, 04:30 PM

#11

rmodel65

Yukon Cornelius

Join Date: Oct 2005

Location: deep in the heart of dixie GEORGIA

Posts: 11,808

the piece there is tapered try using the technique here : http://mustangsplus.com/tech/shockan...shockfall1.htm

04-17-2009, 05:44 PM

#12

109jb

3rd Gear Member

Join Date: Oct 2007

Location: Illinois

Posts: 584

Quote:

Originally Posted by automan25

I don't really care if I harm the ball joint in the process here,but I need to save the pitman arm. What I still need to know is, does the ball joint SCREW into the pitman arm, or is it PRESSED into it (like how the steering wheel is connected to the steering shaft)? I don't want to try to force it out with a puller if it is screwed in, or it will damage the pitman arm and elicit much profanity from me. The same holds true if I try to unscrew it and it's pressed in.

Thanks,

Jeff

It is not threaded. It is a tapered locking fit just like the ball joints or the tie rod ends. The taper is so that there is no slop and it locks together and won't wear out the arm. You can just press it out.

04-17-2009, 06:28 PM

#13

stanger53

1st Gear Member

Join Date: May 2006

Location:

Posts: 96

Well, you can use the percussive method to knock the stud out, if you like to have steering linkage parts that look like they have been beaten with a hammer. This method works fine on tie rods and ball joints, but I don't recommend it on the ball stud as you have it. A lot of the force you apply to that pitman arm is going to be transmitted to the sector shaft of the steering box, and into the teeth inside. This is definitely NOT a good idea. Easy way to add more play in the steering box bearings and gears, or possibly break something inside.

Buy or rent a proper puller and pop it out of the pitman arm.

04-18-2009, 08:46 AM

#14

stanglane

Join Date: Apr 2009

Location: florida

Posts: 11

replaced the steering gear box and pitman on my 72 convertible, the pitman arm would not come off the steering gear box , broke a puller and hit it many times with a hammer, finally had to just take off box and pitman together, what a pain, after it was off tried heat and a big hammer would not come off, bought new pitman, be careful with heat use a shield