Steering linkage removal

[Sonny]

Taking the steering linkage off my ‘70 Belvedere. Do you separate the pitman arm and idle arm the same as the tie rods? Whooping my butt...
I’m using the removal tool shaped like a clothes pin with a tension bolt. Worked on the tie rods but not the other 2 connections. Pickle fork?

 

[BeepBeepRR]

The pitman arm is tough to get off. You will need a pitman arm tool. Here is a link to one at northern tools but they should have them at your local parts joint. The Idler arm should just unbolt from the frame. Once you get tension on the bolt. Whack the pitman arm with a 4 lb hammer and off it comes. Make sure to remove the big *** nut first though
PITMAN ARM TOOL

 

[AR67GTX]

You can just un-bolt the idler arm from the car but if you need to separate it, yes do so same as a tie rod. Use a pickle fork or find a tie rod press sort of like this.

https://mossmotors.com/separator-to...MIvqS28YbG2AIVgbfACh2yiwR_EAQYBCABEgKOn_D_BwE

For the pitman arm you need a pitman arm puller like this.

https://mobiledistributorsupply.com...MIzaCXr4fG2AIVXbbACh19SAG_EAQYBSABEgJLzfD_BwE

Most of them I've pulled have been on there good. Tightening up the puller and giving it a couple good taps with a hefty hammer every so often as you go can help.

You can probably borrow these tools at local auto parts stores if you do business with them.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Hey Sonny, just undo the cotter pins & take off the nuts. Then take a BIG hammer (3lb. sledge or similar) and give the center drag link several really good whacks, from the side, right at the point where the pitman arm "pivot-stud" goes through it, and "pop" it will separate. Repeat on the idler arm side. Takes about 5 min. total to remove both sides.

Don't forget that you will need a wheel alignment when you are done (since the tie rod ends were removed).

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Here is a whole set of these tools on the cheap.. If they are good who knows. https://www.jbtoolsales.com/gearwre...MI55HQ7IbG2AIVw7fACh3dlwM6EAQYASABEgJPvvD_BwE

 

[PurpleBeeper]

The pitman arm is tough to get off. You will need a pitman arm tool. Here is a link to one at northern tools but they should have them at your local parts joint. The Idler arm should just unbolt from the frame.
PITMAN ARM TOOL

View attachment 556827

These work too & I have a couple different sizes. When I did this job 2 weeks ago though, the fingers of my tools wouldn't fit between the center link & either the idler/pitman arm (you can't screw/wedge if you can't grip the center link bar), so I just pulled out my big 1-handed sledge. I have used these tools successfully on other cars + fits one side of my Road Runner and they work in most cases.

Pickle forks work too (I have two sizes), but EVERY time I used one I tore up the rubber boot on that part. Sometimes you don't care and just want the parts separated & boots don't cost too much anyway.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

I do believe I have torn every boot with a pickle fork.. Never had one not get ripped.

 

[WileE]

These work too & I have a couple different sizes. When I did this job 2 weeks ago though, the fingers of my tools wouldn't fit between the center link & either the idler/pitman arm (you can't screw/wedge if you can't grip the center link bar), so I just pulled out my big 1-handed sledge. I have used these tools successfully on other cars + fits one side of my Road Runner and they work in most cases.

Pickle forks work too (I have two sizes), but EVERY time I used one I tore up the rubber boot on that part. Sometimes you don't care and just want the parts separated & boots don't cost too much anyway.

If you tap the arms of the tool sideways, you can slip the arms in between the pitman or idler arm. Spray silicone spray to not damage the boots. Used to do it this way many, many times. And, yes pickle fork on the rods if not being 're-used the boots will tear.

 

[Ironbuilt]

Here is a whole set of these tools on the cheap.. If they are good who knows. https://www.jbtoolsales.com/gearwre...MI55HQ7IbG2AIVw7fACh3dlwM6EAQYASABEgJPvvD_BwE

I have a few GearWrench items and for the money, they are decent tools.
If you're replacing the parts and you're not concerned with slight damage, these are the way to go.

 

[Ironbuilt]

If quality is more of a concern, this is the set that I have.
OTC 6295 Front End Service Set
245 customer reviews

| 20 answered questions



Price: $107.60 & FREE Shipping. Details

 

[1967coronet440]

Only tool I used during disassembly was a 3lb sledge, everything was replaced so i wasn’t worried about damaging anything, although everything came out fine. Reassembly was fun sitting in the engine bay torquing everything.

 

[Sonny]

Thanks guys. I took the clothes pin shaped removL tool and used the half with the fork and pickle forked that bastard. Popped the pitman arm joint right off the linkage. I don’t think the idler arm has ever been removed. I bailed and unbolted it from the frame.