Can't Separate Drag Link From Pitman Arm!!

[derek7871]

I'm in the process of swapping out bushings, springs and steering on the front end ('68 F-100, 4x2). I can't seem to remove the drag link from the bottom of the pitman arm. I've got a 14" tie-rod end separator, lots of PB blaster/Aerokroil and a BFH but I still can't remove it. I've even put a torch on the drag link. Is there a trick to getting the drag link off the pitman arm? Would it be easier to remove the pitman arm from the steering box and just buy a new pitman arm?

Cooter

[derek7871]

I was thinking the pitman arm puller was for removing the arm from the steering box. However, looking at that picture it looks like it will work for removing the drag link from the arm. Thanks for the reply.....calling the parts store now.


Cooter

[69rangerf100]

thanks for the post i was just about to put one up for the same issue.

[derek7871]

Well, I ran to the parts store and got a pitman arm puller. It fit on there just right and I was sure it was going to work. But I did not have any luck. In fact, the threaded part of the drag link that the puller was pushing on started bending. I found an old post where Willowbilly said to hit the side of the pitman arm with a hammer and a lot of times that will break it free. I'll try that tomorrow. Anymore ideas? Surely I don't have the most difficult draglink to pitman arm connection ever in the history of the world.......or do I?

Cooter

[19FORD67]

On my donor truck the puller(from harbor freight) kept slipping off to the side when I started wrenching down on it so here's
what I did. This is going to sound stupid (and it is ) but it worked slicker than duck butter. I got a 1 1/8" open end
wrench and wedged it in between the p/arm and the drag link (idler arm? get confused..) and then I took a bottle jack
and started jacking up the other end of the wrench until it had what I thought was sufficient pressure. I the took a 4' x 2"
steel pipe, opened the hood, and gave the idler arm 2 good whacks , voila, popped right off. Just want to tell you that this
"could" have caused injury and I'm sure that Fordification in no way endorses this procedure.

[fordman]

have you ever seen a air chisel? well they come with a tie rod end fork attachment. they work great for getting those hard ones to break loose by hand. just a few quick blasts with one of those and it pops them right apart.

[drytoast]

I the took a 4' x 2"
steel pipe, opened the hood, and gave the idler arm 2 good whacks , voila, popped right off. Just want to tell you that this
"could" have caused injury and I'm sure that Fordification in no way endorses this procedure.

I also took a long steel bar and gave it a few good whacks with a sledge hammer through the engine compartment and she popped off. I had tried everything else and this finaly worked for me. Toast

[kaptnkaos]

Wow...

I've not heard of one being that difficult to remove before...
I know that they have a tapered fit, so if you can get them started they usually come of pretty easy.
Best adive is to just stay at it, it will come off.

KaptnKA S

[derek7871]

SUCCESS!!!

I finally got the drag link off the pitman arm. I tried putting a bottle jack under the pickle fork, but I could not get a good angle on it. I spent 2 or 3 minutes gently tapping around on the pitman arm and drag link with a hammer. After doing this, I tried the pickle fork again and really beat it in good and it finally popped off. Talk about a relief. I used copper anti seize so next time it should be easier to get them apart. Thanks to all for the ideas. Once again, Fordification saves the day.


Cooter

[kaptnkaos]

Good deal Cooter