pitman and idler arm replacment 91 chev

[jfabert]

My father needs to replace both his pitman and idler on his 91 chev 1/2 ton 4x4. What is the easyest way to get the pitman off. The cross member is right below it were it looks like you cant get a puller on it if need be. Do you need to take the steering box off the frame?

 

[3car]

My father needs to replace both his pitman and idler on his 91 chev 1/2 ton 4x4. What is the easyest way to get the pitman off. The cross member is right below it were it looks like you cant get a puller on it if need be. Do you need to take the steering box off the frame?

I used a large pickel fork to remove one about 10 years ago, dont do that. The box leaked after that. I'd pull the box because I don't know of any puller that will fit in between the steering box and that crossmember.

 

[gmc4cw]

the idler arm should come right off. you will need to coax it along with a hammer. the pitman arm you need to cut most off the way through and then split it with a chisel. then it should slide off.

 

[Jason4x4]

Take the box off, it is easy, and will be quicker in the long run.

 

[Cajun4x4]

you don't need to pull the box completely off... what you should do is, remove the pitman arm nut, then completely remove two of the bolts holding the box on and loosen the third, this allows the box to rotate giving you all the clearance you will ever need, then give the pitman arm a few good whacks with a hammer then use a pitman arm puller that you can rent from vhatozone (for like 10 bucks and get every sent of it back when you return it) and just use an impact to pop the pitman arm off of the sector shaft, oh and don't forget the PB blaster, and for the idler arm thats just as simple as three bolts IIRC and the hole assembly comes off the frame (id change the whole assembly, don't mess around and change just the arm itself)

 

[rx7gslse]

Just did that two weekends ago...

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220272

Basically unbolt the steering box from the frame and push it forward *just* enough to get the pitman arm past the cross member.

Others say its easier to just remove the steering box, but I disagree..

Idler arm? smack it with a pickle fork to get it off, however I ended up having to buy a new idler arm bracket anyway.. if i'd have known that I'd have just taken them off together and been done. The bracket has bolts thru the frame, so have a magnet handy...