The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest pitman arm puller

I'm trying to get my frame stripped so I can take it in. I'm removing the front axle and springs now and am trying to pull the pitman arm. I went to napa to get a puller and all they had was one that was pretty wide. I didn't think it would fit in the indented area (not sure how else to describe it). The truck is a '53 chevy 3/4 ton. The napa part number if someone wants to look it up was Part Number: SER 2289. Do they make these in different sizes, is there a specific one I need? I tried to use my little bearing/pulley puller (its not very big) but it kept slipping off when I got quite a bit of pressure on it. Any ideas?

if you have a tool rental place around, they'll probably have one that will work

Bill

I borrow the one at Autozone. It is free

are yours smaller than the one I listed? I'm in a rural area, the next place closer than the napa 20 minutes away is 40 minutes. I'd kind of like to know what I need before I go if I could.

"it kept slipping off when I got quite a bit of pressure on it. Any ideas?"

Paul, try putting a clamp across the jaws to hold them together. Then put some tension on the puller bolt and tap the bolt with a hammer. The shock will often separate the parts.

Another trick that works is to tension up the puller bolt than hold a heavy item like a sledge hammer head against one side of the pitman arm at the shaft hole and smack the opposite side with a hammer. I've removed stubborn ball joints that way.

You can do it!

that worked great! thanks a ton. I was able to get the steering column off, the front axle, and I got the springs off! I took tons of pictures of everything - of how the spacer was facing on the springs, how the shock absorber plates were on, everything. Now time to work on the rear end and remove all the little stuff like emergency brake cable, brake lines, etc... I found a shop about 60 miles away that a friend used that said they would give it a full blast (with something ceramic - they said that way it wouldn't look blasted), an acid bath and a full powder coat of black, 60% gloss. For $225, I can afford to truck it down there and back. thanks guys

Paul, that sounds like a REAL bargain. Please keep us posted on what/how they do it and how it turns out when you get it back...maybe a pic or two if you'd be so kind.Thanks

You know, I've never put a pic of any part of my truck I don't think. Because I've never actually gotten any of it done. I guess this will be a first. If this goes ok, by the end of summer I should have a rebuilt motor and a finished frame at the very least.
A mechanic for the company I work for is the one who told me about this place. They produce wood stoves (or furnaces) and have the room to do this sort of thing during their slow times. I'll let you know, but I'm not sure how to post pics except to copy and paste them in the posts.