Pitman arm removal.

[Tom Bredehoft]

I searched the archives, found one successful removal with a pickle fork.

Car in question, '55 President State Sedan.

I had purchased a remover from Carquest, sweated blood to get it out of the blister pack only to find it tooooo large. Even if it weren't too large, there's no room between the pitman arm and the frame for it to work.

Is it general agreement that a pickle fork is the way to go?

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 573 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[N8N]

Tom,

if this is a Saginaw P/S box, you need to remove the pinch bolt completely. It rides in a groove in the shaft like the bellcrank. If the pitman arm is still tight wedge it open with a large cold chisel in the crack.

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[64V-K7]

Last year, I removed the arm on my standard steering 55 Pres, to change out the sector shaft. Offed the nut and washer, made a shim from 1/8" stock to hang over the old sector and protect the seal edge. It looked like a large alignment shim for an X-brand car. Used a sharp-Vee masonry chisel to wedge between the shim and the pitman arm. It took a little heat also if I recall correctly, but after a couple whacks with a lead hammer, it popped off surprisingly quick.


Bob Johnstone
www.studebaker-info.org

64 GT Hawk
55 President State Sedan
70 Avanti (R3)

[s2dwagon]

Tom B.,

I purchased a tool from J.C. Whittney for around 20 bucks. It works great! It works by using a fulcrum and turning a bolt with a wrench that exerts the force to spread the joints apart, no beating. One thing I would advise though, after you have loosened the nut for removal, leave it on the stud to protect the threads. After it has popped loose, remove the nut and you are home.

Good luck,

Scott

[Tom Bredehoft]

A pickle fork and 12 pounds (6 hits with a 2 lb brass hammer) and it popped off. Pounded down, with gravity, past the gear box, sure a lot easier than up underneath. The entire steering gear is in the shop for rebuild.

Thanks for your help.

So far, without transportation I've invested four hours in it.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 573 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[candbstudebakers]

Tom the pickle fork works some times if you can hit it good but with engine in the car it is a little had to do, there is a tool mad for this close area and I have a few made up for sale $25.00 plus shipping about $5.80 let me know....Bob ps I still plan on getting those vin numbers on the 53's to you day...Bob

Bob Peterson / C & B Studebakers

Castro Valley, CA

[Tom Bredehoft]

Your tool would have been cheaper, by a couple of bucks, but it's apart now. Thanks.

Send the numbers when you can, also the condition of the cars, running, restored, scrapped, etc.

[img=left]http://www.alink.com/personal/tbredehoft/Avatar1.jpg[/img=left]
Tom Bredehoft
'53 Commander Coupe (since 1959)
'55 President (6H Y6) State Sedan
(Under Construction 573 hrs.)
'05 Legacy Ltd Wagon
All Indiana built cars

[candbstudebakers]

There is always next time ...Bob

Bob Peterson / C & B Studebakers

Castro Valley, CA