So I've finally finished my steering upgrade/rebuild and I have to say, I'm stoked; feels like a new jeep. The last component to install was this stubborn pitman arm. I tried everything under the sun to get this puppy off. First was the problem of getting the nut to break loose. I tried daily hits of penetrating oil for 2 weeks straight and finally got it to break loose with an impact. Now I'm thinking its all down hill since I've got a puller in hand; nope... I spent 2 hours just trying to get it off the splines and got nothing but a broken puller to show. So I said fu*k it for that night, put the nut back on and let the drop pitman roll around in the back seat for a week. Last night, I got back on it with a mission. Went to Lowes, got some new 4" cut off wheels for the grinder and got to it. About an hour later, with some careful surgeon work, its off; and what do ya know, I didn't trash my steering spine. Spent another hour getting the alignment straight and its all done! I'm glad all of this is over with.

You can see the torch marks on the stock pitman; its not like you can just flame on the steering box so I couldn't really concentrate the heat all that much. Plus an oxy/acetylene torch isn't the most precision instrument.


Two cuts and I still had to beat the pieces off; giggity...


I can't believe I didn't destroy my steering box spline post.


Threw on a new SS lock washer (its 7/8" btw) and DONE!



Now I've just got to find time to install my new gears ... I love how on vehicle projects you're never really done.

 

Dang...look at all those beautiful parts. The whole undercarrige looks pretty good, too.

 

^ Thanks but I swear every OEM fastener has fault me tooth and nail...