Pitman Arm To Steering Gear Nut Removal

SEP · February 2, 2009

Is there a particular trick to remove that nut? I tried today to replace the pitman arm but the nut would just not move and in case you ask i do have an air impact but didn't have a flexible joint, so could it be harder because it was not in the right angle?

2001 GMC Yukon 4wd

L29er · February 2, 2009

might be do-able if you remove the three bolts holding the box on and put it in an accesable spot for the impact. do you have a puller for the arm?

SEP · February 3, 2009

might be do-able if you remove the three bolts holding the box on and put it in an accesable spot for the impact. do you have a puller for the arm?

Yes i have the puller. I will go get a flexible joint today and will give another try when weather allow me to.

Spurshot · February 4, 2009

My alignment shop replaced mine last summer. They had to pull the steering box loose to get access to the nut.

gmtech4 · February 6, 2009

sep,.like the other guy said ,remove the 3 steering box bolts ,push the box rearward and you can get the impact on it with NO swival,you loose torque thru them and then the puller works better ,ya just have to move the box,it won't fall out ,do your idler arm while your at it

SEP · February 8, 2009

I tried everything, removed all 3 bolts then left 1 so the box wouldn't shake when using impact. It seems that my impact is just not rated high enough, i think it's rated 300ft.lbs. only. I'll check with local tool rental place tomorow and will try to find one rated higher.

Matt_ · February 8, 2009

What kind of compressor are you running it off of? Make sure that your regulator is at the proper pressure for the gun too

SEP · February 8, 2009

What kind of compressor are you running it off of? Make sure that your regulator is at the proper pressure for the gun too

I don't remember all compressor's spec but regulator is set at 90psi which is the max that my air tools are rated. I used it a 2 years ago to replace the pitman arm on a 96 chevy caprice i owned and it worked ... with some patience.

Matt_ · February 8, 2009

Is it a 15, 17, 30, 40 or 60 gallon tank?

If your air gun is rated to 90.. try bumping the regulator up to 100. Won't hurt the gun, might get that little extra you need to break the nut loose.

SEP · February 9, 2009

Checked the compressor specs: 1.6hp, 30 gal tank setted at 95psi.

Matt_ · February 9, 2009

hmm.. with 30 gallons you should get enough hits on the impact to break that nut loose before loosing too much pressure/power. When was the last time you put a few drops of air-tool oil in the gun? (they lose power if not oiled properly)

Then again, this does sound like the perfect time to upgrade one of your tools

SEP · February 12, 2009

Well... i bought a new impact gun rated at 550ft.lbs. and it still doesn't move. I think the best to do now is remove the box and grind the nut.

L29er · February 12, 2009

Well... i bought a new impact gun rated at 550ft.lbs. and it still doesn't move. I think the best to do now is remove the box and grind the nut.

are you till using the swivel?

SEP · February 12, 2009

Well... i bought a new impact gun rated at 550ft.lbs. and it still doesn't move. I think the best to do now is remove the box and grind the nut.

are you till using the swivel?

No but i'm using a 6" extention, do you think it can hurt.

Matt_ · February 12, 2009

Yup, every extension and addition onto the end of the impact gun decreases the output torque. Even putting just a socket on it results in less torque than its rated at, although minimal.

The longer the extensions and the more joint you have, the weaker the output