How to Get the Bottom Nut Off a 1995 Chevy Silverado Pittman Arm

A pitman arm is the part that connects the steering box to the center link, or drag link, on your 1995 Chevy Silverado. After years of use, the joint in a pitman arm will wear causing excessive play in the joint, and in turn, in the steering box. If ignored, it is possible for the joint to separate, causing a loss of steering. Because the pitman arm joint may spin when you attempt to loosen the nut, it is best to use an impact gun, either air driven or electric, to remove the nut.

Instructions

1

Park your Chevy truck on a solid level surface. Raise the front end of the vehicle using a floor jack. Place one jack stand under a solid piece of frame on both sides and lower the frame onto the jack stands.

2

Remove the cotter pin from the castle nut holding the ball stud to the center link, using pliers. Remove the castle nut using an impact gun and socket. Separate the pitman arm from the center link using a joint fork and hammer.

3

Mark the position of the pitman arm on the steering box. Remove the nut holding the arm to the box using an impact gun and socket. Separate the pitman arm from the box using a pitman arm puller. Slide the jaws of the puller over the back side of the arm. Tighten the bolt on the puller against the steering box stud. Tighten the bolt using an impact gun until the pitman arm separates from the steering box.

4

Mark the replacement pitman arm in the same spot as you marked the one you removed. Line up the marks on the arm and steering box stud. Push the arm in place and tighten it with an impact gun and socket.

5

Connect the center link to the pitman arm. Install the castle nut. Tighten it with a socket and install a new cotter pin. Attach the grease gun to the fitting and grease the joint. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground.