VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Replacing pitman arm bushings

What is the best way to replace the 4 rubber bushings on the pitman arm to tie rods? Can it be done without removing the sector arm from sector shaft ?? I want to do both of my 47s
Unless I am overlooking it I can not find any instructions in my service manual.
Nice weather is almost here and I am getting itchy to drive them again.
Thanks
Dick

It is necessary to remove the arm....puller required. Can rent one from a parts store.

Gene: Thanks for the info. Do I also have to disconnect Tie Rods from Pitman arm or will all hang down enough to replace the bushings ?

Dick

It will hang down low enough

Thanks again- Borrowed a puller rated 2 tons and so far it has not budged the arm. Afraid I will break the puller If I keep tightening. I put some heat to the arm with my small propane torch while the puller was under pressure but no luck yet. It might not be enough heat. Quit for the night to think on this. Maybe get a larger puller if the jaws will go in the space?

Dick

Try and find a pitman arm puller.

I have had no trouble using this puller. It has 1 and 1/4 inches of space between its arms so it just slides into the space between the pitman arm and the steering box. Almost any auto supply store should have one. Good luck, Mike

Just encase you have the entire bottom of the pitman arm covered with 60 years of dirt/grease/etc. did you realize that there is a nut that has to be removed before pulling off the arm? Also a lot has been written about automatic transmission oil as the perfect inexpensive penetrating fluid. Squirt some on and let it sit for a while and see if it doesn't help? Good luck, Mike

To remove a super stuck pitman arm.
Tighten puller as much as you feel is safe. With the puller attached strike the side of the pitman where it attaches to the shaft with a large hammer. Just the vibrations will cause it to release. Good idea to grease the threads on the working (of the puller screw threads) to save the threads and get maximum pull.

The nut has been well loosened but left on as I felt it was needed to keep the end of the shaft from swelling when the puller was tightened. ATF fluid certainly can't hurt. I will soak it good & leave it overnight. I also located a puller like the one Mike showed and will attempt removal tomorrow. I have hit the side of the shaft while under pressure to no avail but I think the puller I was using just wasn't big enough. I would not have thought of greasing the puller threads so that will be done on next attempt. I will post the results tomorrow and want to thank all for your very good advice.

Dick

Worked on the pitman arm today with success. I guess the right puller was the solution. After getting everything apart i concluded the old ones were really not that bad. I put the new ones in anyway but I will bet they won't last as long as the old ones.
Thanks for all who gave advice.

Dick