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Idler arm I've done before, and the old one is off. It's really not too bad. The pitman arm is going to be more fun, though, because the frame is in the way of the nut that holds it to the steering box shaft, but a shallow 32mm socket looks like it *might* work. Heading into town shortly to go pick one up.
I have that socket. This video was a big help for me:
Have to do axles seals on the bronco so I'm thinking about welding the rear end while it's opened up. I'm sure the 7.5 won't self destruct immediately... I think.
Haven't had the pleasure yet...aren't they any fun ?
So did you get a big lift for the garage at Christmas....no bending or crawling around on the floor anymore??
If the answer is positive, I'll make the beer run....got any chicken left ?
Originally Posted by Jbrew
You have tubes in the floor out there.....nice!
See above for the answer to your first question. (Ref: Pitman arm. Idler isn't bad at all.)
No lift, just HF 6-ton jack stands. And I *wish* I had in-floor heat out there! No. That floor is C O L D!
And yes. Chicken sandwich for lunch tomorrow!
Originally Posted by COStruck
I have that socket. This video was a big help for me: This video
Thanks for the video link. I "rented" a puller from AZ, and it worked great to break loose the idler and the linkage end of the pitman arm. It won't fit straight on the shaft end, though. An eighth of an inch more space, and it would be a piece of cake, but nooooo! I swear... design engineers should have to spend two years wrenching before they're even allowed to *look* at a computer!
I think I'll be resorting to using my cutoff tool and a cold chisel tomorrow.
BTW, it was a little cattywampus, but that standard 32mm socket with a wobble extension worked to get the shaft nut off. I have no idea, though, how I'm going to get 230-ish (?) lb-ft of torque on it when I reassemble things without it slipping off.
Last edited by OhioLariat; 12-29-2023 at 04:11 AM.
Have to do axles seals on the bronco so I'm thinking about welding the rear end while it's opened up. I'm sure the 7.5 won't self destruct immediately... I think.
Not immediately. It'll let you get out to the middle of BFE before it lets loose.
EDIT: And I don't care how warm you get the garage, that concrete still *radiates* cold!
3/8" thk slabs of cork, 3x4 ft I think, for underfloor payment are $5 at a flooring wholesaler. Not rugged, but warm. Contact-cement a pc to a yd of canvas.
12-28-2023, 07:52 PM
I "rented" a puller from AZ, and it worked great to break loose the idler and the linkage end of the pitman arm. It won't fit straight on the shaft end, though. An eighth of an inch more space, and it would be a piece of cake, but nooooo! 
I swear... design engineers should have to spend two years wrenching before they're even allowed to *look* at a computer!
