Dropping Pitman arm

[jamesmdavis]

Hi All - I am in the middle of preparing to raise the engine front end to remove the oil pump. I need to move the vw steering box up to give room for the starter when raising the engine front. I need to detach the Pitman arm from the box. It appears that it is held on by one large nut and splines. I can loosen the nut but the arm won't drop. Is it hung up on the splines and needs a sharp rap or am I missing something else. I'm in the garage, car is on lift, and I really need some words of comfort!!!! Thanks all.

Jim Davis
TC 7225

[Kameron M]

Maybe a small size gear puller would work? Hazard Frought Tools has a pretty cheap set of those.

[Duncan M]

Jim-
Be sure and completely remove the pinch bolt ( you say you can loosen the nut) prior to removal of the pitman arm. Yes, use a puller unless it will pull off by hand. The pinch bolt acts as a safety, in case the nut loosens or falls off. The arm will not come off with the bolt in place, as the sector shaft has a groove. See pic of VW arm below from this article: http://ttypes.org/ttt2/some-after-marke ... onversions and another pic

droparm1.jpg (29.89 KiB) Viewed 3144 times

[jamesmdavis]

Thanks for the help. I talked to the person who restored the car many years ago and he said that it is a very early Datsun box from Australia and has only one bolt on the splined shaft. He stated that I should used a puller and it should come off. Here's hoping....Jim

[Steve Simmons]

Yes, just remove the nut and it comes off. BUT, it may be stuck so a puller will work if the jaws are small enough to get between the arm and box. I used red locktite when reinstalling the nut. Maybe I'm just paranoid.