Well it's a snowy day and I'm just browsing the net. What pitman arm puller style do you guys like most?
http://www.tooltopia.com/search.aspx?find=pitman+arm
http://www.tooltopia.com/search.aspx?find=pitman+arm
Pitman arm pullers
- Thread starter Wesley B
- Start date
I would REALLY like to have one of those OTC conical pullers.
I've got the others, and they get the job done, but I think those conical pullers would apply a lot more force, a lot more evenly. I also think there'd be more control while setting it in place and getting everything lined up and ready to work.
-Brad
I've got the others, and they get the job done, but I think those conical pullers would apply a lot more force, a lot more evenly. I also think there'd be more control while setting it in place and getting everything lined up and ready to work.
-Brad
Outlawmws
Well-known member
If you get the fixed jaw type, you may need more than one size. Less likelyhood of that with the adjustable type. (unless you get into the bigger stuff...)
wreckerman5357
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2011
- Messages
- 373
I have a NAPA one very similar to the U-shaped KD version that page. It works fine but agree with the above poster that the conical OTC pulled looks like a good option because of more even distribution of force. I have had good luck with the style I have aside from cracking one of them on my F250 a couple years ago.
chumley360
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 9, 2010
- Messages
- 176
I've got one from Mac that's like the OTC 8150. I use it all the time on everything from Rangers to F-550s. It works great and I really like it. They come in a couple of sizes though, so get the bigger one for full-size trucks.
I don't know, possibly alot for lift kits, but for 30 some odd dollars I would buy my own to use before anything else.
I use the KD 2289 or some variant for light duty trucks and full size cars. It has an 18mm hex with a 3/8 drive in the center. Every tech I have worked with has something similiar. Its like 25.00 on the truck. The only thing I did to mine was grind the jaw down a little so it would fit between the arm and the gearbox on some application, cant remember what.
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The Dutchman
Well-known member
Whichever one you get, get the OTC6496. the inverted shape reduces overall dimension & you won't have to remove the steering box on certain vehicles in order to have enough clearance. Saves beaucoup time.
JeremyFXDWG
Active member
I have used a snap-on one that looks like the conical OTC one a whole bunch of times on cj-5s to f-350s. They are the only way to go.
I'll tell you guys one thing I've learned just very recently about pulling pitman arms off steering boxes--I pulled three; two off a '62 Corvair, the other off a '60 Chevy truck. Both of the steering boxes were off the vehicle.
On the first corvair box, I tightened down the puller, banged on it, heated it, etc. etc. and after a LOT of work, it came off.
On the second one, I held the box in a vise and tightened the puller up pretty snug, and then a bit more, and walked away from it. After about two or three minutes, it popped off on its own.
I did the same thing with the truck steering box--tightened up the puller so it had some tension, but not enough to deform either the box's shaft or the puller, and walked away from it. After a few minutes, the arm popped off and landed on the floor.
Slow, steady force seems to do the trick. (I was using an big, old Bluepoint 2-jaw puller--not the best tool for the job, but it's all I've got)
-Brad
On the first corvair box, I tightened down the puller, banged on it, heated it, etc. etc. and after a LOT of work, it came off.
On the second one, I held the box in a vise and tightened the puller up pretty snug, and then a bit more, and walked away from it. After about two or three minutes, it popped off on its own.
I did the same thing with the truck steering box--tightened up the puller so it had some tension, but not enough to deform either the box's shaft or the puller, and walked away from it. After a few minutes, the arm popped off and landed on the floor.
Slow, steady force seems to do the trick. (I was using an big, old Bluepoint 2-jaw puller--not the best tool for the job, but it's all I've got)
-Brad
crewchief888
Well-known member
last pitman arm i pulled i couldnt get any puller i had to grab tight enough.
after searching around locally, to no avail, i reluctantly bought one from HF for $5
it worked, didnt break into a million & a half pieces like i thought it would.
after searching around locally, to no avail, i reluctantly bought one from HF for $5
it worked, didnt break into a million & a half pieces like i thought it would.
Ign
Well-known member
Yep, if you want to GET AFTER IT (and you do) the conical ones are the only way to go. I've got the Snappy version (the bigger one) and it's great. Recently used it on a '98 Ram with a very stubborn pitman arm. Ran it down as tight as my impact would go, wailed on it w a BFH, tightened again, repeat. I was replacing the steering box so had no interest in being nice to the sector shaft, bearings or seals.
glenmore
Well-known member
I have the kit that looks like the OTC and KD kits. There is always something in the way so having all the different styles come in handy.