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It's an easy but physically demanding if you do not have a pneumatic set of tools. The specialty tools you will first have to get your hands on are a Tie Rod remover. otherwise know as a (pickle fork). There are two sizes of these large for ball joint removal and small for Tie rod removal. Looks like a big 2 pronged fork. The next Tool is a Pitman arm remover. Usually you can rent or barrow them from your local auto parts store. Drive your blazer up on to a set of repair ramps. Block the rear tires.The bolt to the center link from the pitman arm has a crown nut on it with a cotter pin going threw it. Remove the cotter pin.and remove the crown nut. Then with the Pickle fork and a 5 lb. sledge hammer. place the pickle fork between the center link and the pitman arm bolt. Give the end of the Pickle fork as many good blows on the other end as it takes for the center link to release from the pitman arm. Once that is done take a break I know you'll need it. Next is the Pitman arm to the steering gear shaft. Hope you can get your hands on a good breaker bar or an impact wrench and a socket large enough for the steering gear shaft nut. Remove the nut. Then place the Pitman arm removal tool between the pitman arm and the steering gear housing. Start tightening the threaded rod the remover up against the shaft. It is hard as hell to remove because pitman arms rarely go bad. It's usually the center link that fails.It will take a lot of strength to remove and you may want to use a little penetrating lube on it. Once you get that off you may want to replace the steering gear shaft seal as well. Otherwise just reverse the removal steps. The shaft is notched and so is the pitman are make sure they line up. then Torque to spec.s If you plan on keeping the blazer get a repair manual from your auto parts store. It will help you put a great deal.
Steering damper from the relay rod, if equipped
Note: Use the proper tool in order to separate all the tie rods and the ball joints.
Steering components
Tie rod ends (F) (See: Tie Rod Ends)
Idler arm ball stud nut (J) and discard the nut (See: Idler Arm)
Pitman arm nut (H) and discard the nut (See: Pitman Arm)
Remove the idler arm from the relay rod
Relay rod from the idler arm ball stud using the J24319-B or other suitable puller
Remove relay rod from pitman arm ball stud
Relay rod from the pitman arm ball stud using the J24319-B or other suitable puller
Relay rod from the vehicle
Inspect the threads on the tie rod ends for damage
Inspect the ball stud threads for damage
Inspect the ball stud seals for excessive damage
Clean the threads on the ball studs
To Install:
Install or connect the following:
Relay rod to the vehicle
Relay rod to the pitman arm ball stud
Relay rod to the idler arm ball stud and make sure the seal is on the stud
New pitman arm prevailing torque nut
New idler arm prevailing torque nut and tighten the idler arm and pitman arm nuts; Torque to: 46 ft. lbs. (62 Nm)
remove the p/s lines to the gear box, take the nut of the pitman arm and seperate the center link of the pitman arm, remove the front shield, remove three bolts from the side of the frame holding the gear box onto the frame, you will need a puller to remove the pitman arm off the gearbox, reverse procedure to install. add fluid.
Pitman arm requires a pitman arm puller, and a tie rod seperator or "pickle fork". Remove the cotter pin on from the joint on the pitman arm and center link, then remove the nuts from both ends of pitman arm. Use the pitman arm puller to remove the pitman arm from the steering gear, then use the tie rod seperator to remove the end from the center link. Reinstall and retighten nuts, do not leave out the cotter pin.
Idler arm will require tie rod seperator. Remove the cotter pin from the end at the center link, use the tie rod seperator to seperate the joint there. Unbolt the idler arm from the frame, and remove. On reinstalling remember to install a new cotter pin. It would be best to have the front end alignment checked after replacing these parts.
you don't have to remove the steering box to do a pitman arm. Take off the one 1/4 in. nut, or whatever size it is, take the nut off the center link, put a pitman arm puller on the steering box side, and tighten the puller until you can't go any further, and hit the adjuster w/ a hammer hard, then tighten some more and repeat
you will have to remove the steering gear box to change the pitman arm. the idler arm is on the other side by the passenger wheel. one nut and two bolts going threw fender take it off.
jack up and support van passenger side first with wheels straight remove wheel unbolt idler arm from center link and using a fork designed for removing front end parts some auto stores let u borrow / loan u fork remove idler arm unbolt (2) from frame replace and bolt in new one replace wheel other side wheels straight jack and remove wheel mark pitman at steer box so u can transfer mark to new pitman unbolt and us fork to remove pitman from center link us pulley to remove pitman transfer marks to new arm align up replace bolt up replace wheel done
Take the bolts out that attach the steering box to the frame and pivot the box so you can fit the puller on. Leave the steering shaft and power steering hoses attached. Mark the new pitman arm and old one in the same place and mark the pitman shaft to keep the same position of the new pit man arm on the old shaft as the old pitman arm.
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