Drag Link Issues

[dixiechevy01]

I got a new drag link and drop pitman arm for my k5 and I was going to install it last night but I couldn't get the drag link end out of the steering arm. Is there any special tool to get it off or should I just try some heat on the steering arm? I've always just hit them out with a hammer but the bottom shock mount is in the way so I cant get a hammer in there. Any ideas let me know thanks.

 

[diesel4me]

I used my pitman arm puller,it fit the drag link ends perfect...just cranked it tight and smacked the steering arm with a hammer and it popped them free easily..I was using a ball joint pickle fork at first,but they refused to budge,I couldn't get a decent whack at it with the fender and axle in my way...those wreck the boots on the ends too..

Sometimes just whacking the steering arm and pitman arm close to the drag link stud hole will shock it free,but I'm not a fan of beating on a pitman arm,it could damage the steering box..the puller works good and does no harm.

 

[AR_K5]

Pickle fork.

http://m.harborfreight.com/11-3-4-quarter-inch-ball-joint-separator-1740.html

 

[paratrooper307]

I used my pitman arm puller,it fit the drag link ends perfect...just cranked it tight and smacked the steering arm with a hammer and it popped them free easily..I was using a ball joint pickle fork at first,but they refused to budge,I couldn't get a decent whack at it with the fender and axle in my way...those wreck the boots on the ends too..

Sometimes just whacking the steering arm and pitman arm close to the drag link stud hole will shock it free,but I'm not a fan of beating on a pitman arm,it could damage the steering box..the puller works good and does no harm.

Yep. If it's the first time it's ever come apart, then the pitman arm puller is the ticket.

 

[dixiechevy01]

Ok thanks for the input guys. I have a pickle fork I'm going to try but my pitman arm puller doesn't look like it will work for the lower drag link at the steering arm. I might just end up pounding the heck out of it till it moves.

This is the style I have

 

[AR_K5]

I just had to pull a couple, I'm changing my vote to pitman arm puller as well.
I went to the local parts hut and (free) rented one. I though I was going to break it, but it finally broke loose when I hit the end of the arm with a rubber mallet.

Good luck

 

[MrSchaeferPants]

Use a puller, and if you are choosy with which one you get, it can be used for multiple things. Or can rent one, either way. I bought an el cheapo I think tie rod end puller, and when it was just barely too small to use on the drag link ends, I just busted out the grinder and made it big enough to slip over the ends.

There's all sorts of nice adjustable and multi-use ones. Pickle forks just tear stuff up, are usually harder to actually work, or just plainly don't work at all. The only benefit is they're cheap and common. I think I'd rather reverse the castle nut flush with the stud, and beat it with a hammer than use a pickle fork.

 

[Mastiff]

Yup, get a puller. Having the right tools for stuff like this makes life so much easier. A pitman/tie-rod puller is probably $5 at HF or $10 at autozone or something. The one I have is just a "C" with a threaded thing going into it, but it fits on tie rods and steering. I've accumulated a number of pullers and similar specialty tools over the years and never regret the money spent.

 

[Blue85]

Agreed. You should have a couple sized on hand because they are so cheap. But even if you don't want to buy, you can rent them free from the parts store. A pickle fork is hard to make work when the arm isn't connected to the steering box anymore. And if it is connected, you probably shouldn't be bashing it with the mini-sledge, you know? Also, pickle forks usually destroy the grease boot.

 

[dixiechevy01]

Well I ended up using a pickle fork set I bought for the drag link. But I never got the pitman arm off. Its so rusted and seized up on there I don't know how I'm going to get it off with out air tools. The bolt that holds it in place is rusted fast to the steering gear and the pitman arm so I might need to take it some where and use an air hammer or something. Thanks for the advice guys.