Need help getting drag link off pitman arm

[kapk22]

Try some heat. Hair dryer works great. Careful to just get the heat on the drag link end, not near the seal on the steering box. Hold a BFH on the pitman right next to the drag link end. While you're holding it against the arm smack the pitman arm on the opposite side with another BFH. If you warm it up and hit it just right the taper will eventually give it up. PITA, been there recently!

Will try this. Thank you

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[Deleted member 64316]

I had some difficulties getting the drag link separated from the pitman arm. It’s my daily driver as well. Ended up buying a pickle fork that was just slightly bigger than the one I used from the rented pickle fork set. That little change made all the difference for me. Only took 3-4 swings and it popped right off.

 

[kapk22]

I had some difficulties getting the drag link separated from the pitman arm. It’s my daily driver as well. Ended up buying a pickle fork that was just slightly bigger than the one I used from the rented pickle fork set. That little change made all the difference for me. Only took 3-4 swings and it popped right off.

THIS may be the ticket. Where did you find the bigger pickle fork?

It seems like the one I got from autozone is just a tad small. I have tried heating it, broken two separating tools, threw many tools (not enough I guess), and rotated the knuckle side a bunch of different angles.

Local jeep club is recommending hitting the joint itself with a sledge, while holding a hammer against the other side.

 

[kapk22]

What about using a pneumatic air hammer with this pickle fork attachment?

 

[Vinman]

I pickle forked mine as well and beat the absolute living shit out of it with a hammer. Neighbor comes over to see what the banging is, lightly taps the pickle fork and the drag link falls off lol.

I just loosen the nut almost all the way off then tap the outside of the pitman arm around the whole the draglink goes through. Heavy hammer and lots of light to medium taps always works for me.

 

[JP52]

I just went through this myself. Tried all the tricks in that thread including propping a 2x4 from the foundation of my house to the end of the pitman are so I could beat on the pickle fork really hard without worrying about breaking the steering box. In the end I removed the pitman arm, cut off the connection to the drag link so I could prop it on my vise and pound the threaded end out. This worked and I can tell you that with how hard I had to pound on it it was never coming off with the pitman arm connected to the steering box. I soaked the big nut on the pitman arm with PB blaster overnight and it came right off. I used this puller to remove the pitman arm
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ETWGKY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Gotta tell you when the pitman arm popped off with a bang I was really relieved and satisfied.
Good luck!

 

[kapk22]

I just went through this myself. Tried all the tricks in that thread including propping a 2x4 from the foundation of my house to the end of the pitman are so I could beat on the pickle fork really hard without worrying about breaking the steering box. In the end I removed the pitman arm, cut off the connection to the drag link so I could prop it on my vise and pound the threaded end out. This worked and I can tell you that with how hard I had to pound on it it was never coming off with the pitman arm connected to the steering box. I soaked the big nut on the pitman arm with PB blaster overnight and it came right off. I used this puller to remove the pitman arm
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ETWGKY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Gotta tell you when the pitman arm popped off with a bang I was really relieved and satisfied.
Good luck!

if I go that route, I would have to find the pitman arm puller in San Antonio somewhere tomorrow. I am planning on getting a mini sledge, an air hammer and several more pickle forks tomorrow. I will search around for the pitman arm puller as well.

 

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

I would like to say, bring it by my house and I'll take care of it for you. Theres got to be someone on here close to you. Best of luck.
Maybe, take it to a local Jeep place or if you havent already, join a local Jeep Club. There are always a few DIY members and a few that own shops. LOL

 

[kapk22]

I would like to say, bring it by my house and I'll take care of it for you. Best of luck. Take it to a local Jeep place or if you havent already, join a local Jeep Club. There are always a few DIY members and a few that owns shops. LOL

Thank you. I appreciate the reply. I did post on a local facebook club and got a bunch of replies with suggestions. No one offered to come over and help though I’m kinda new to the area though. Hopefully I can get it off tomorrow, otherwise I will be taking an Uber to work until i can get it towed to a shop.

 

[Deleted member 64316]

THIS may be the ticket. Where did you find the bigger pickle fork?

It seems like the one I got from autozone is just a tad small. I have tried heating it, broken two separating tools, threw many tools (not enough I guess), and rotated the knuckle side a bunch of different angles.

Local jeep club is recommending hitting the joint itself with a sledge, while holding a hammer against the other side.

Just replied to your PM about this. Hang in there! You’ll be able to find a way to get it off with all the tools you’re getting

 

[kapk22]

I GOT IT to break free. More to follow. THANK you everyone for the help.

 

[Vinman]

I GOT IT to break free. More to follow. THANK you everyone for the help.

What method were you successful with?

 

[kapk22]

What method were you successful with?

Penetrating oil setting over night, using a different size pickle fork as DBBHride suggested and rotating it around the joint like Roky suggested.

 

[Odyssey USA]

I put a wrench on the upper drag link nut and it looks like it’s a 21mm but just wanted to verify as I don’t have a 20mm.

Great thread. I’m about to tackle this myself.
Thanks

 

[kapk22]

I put a wrench on the upper drag link nut, connecting it to the pitman arm on my cast iron gearbox, and it looks like it’s a 21mm but just wanted to verify as I don’t have a 20mm.

Great thread. I’m about to tackle this myself.
Thanks

Good luck

Hopefully it goes smoother for you

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