Hard turning even after replacing power steering pump

[tjs4x4]

Ok, Since you have a manual, you won't have the shifter selector cable to worry about, but the rest is the same....the pitman arm is what bolts onto the gearbox and the tierod linkage hooks to the pitman arm, undue the tierod linkage from the pitman arm, and try and turn the steering wheel, truck will not need to be in the air for this procedure, should turn super easy with your pinkie, if not, then steering is binding from gearbox to steering wheel, could be the u joints between the steering column and the gearbox (the rod between the gearbox and the firewall) if it is stiff to turn, disconnect rod from steering column at firewall, and try again, if it is still stiff, its the steering column, if its easier, then its the joints in the steering rod...
SVT

So if it is indeed in the steering rod, would it just be easier to replace the whole steering column as one piece?

 

[Shran]

It depends what exactly is wrong with it. There are multiple joints and bearings inside the column and in the linkage itself under the hood. If it is between the rag joint and the steering box, you can just replace that piece, IIRC. Been a while since I pulled a column out.

 

[tjs4x4]

I'm having one hell of a time undoing the tie rods from the pitman arm lol. the little clip thingy that is on there is being stubborn. I'm checking this area first.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Do you have a pickle fork for breaking the tie rod loose not sure what clip ur talking about I have only worked on the ones that have a nut with a cotter pin

 

[kimcrwbr1]

straiten the cotter pin and pull it out and loosen the nut

 

[tjs4x4]

I got the cotter pin out finally lol. Gotta try to loosen that whole area now.

 

[tjs4x4]

Now, whats the best way to get the tie rods off the pitman arm?!

 

[kimcrwbr1]

if your still in the air pop the connecting rod off the pitman arm you need a pickle fork and a big frackin hammer BFH then take the rod with your hands and see if it turns easy. Then spin the steering wheel that will tell you which way to go. Ask the old guy if he has a set of forks you can use or maybe you can rent them somewhere

 

[tjs4x4]

Eesh. No pickle forks here. Maybe I'll just have them checked out by a different shop than the one I took it too.

 

[adsm08]

Or a puller. Pullers work nice on pitman arms. I'd also mark the arm and the gear box so you don't need another alignment when you put it back together.

 

[tjs4x4]

Ohh ok. I think I can rent a puller.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

you put the fork on the nut side of the rubber boot and smack the end of it hard till it breaks loose leave the nut threaded about half way down so the connecting rod dont fall hard search pickle fork on ebay to see what one looks like

 

[tjs4x4]

I just looked on a local auto parts store's site. Which is better? The puller or the pickle fork??

 

[adsm08]

The puller is the better tool. The pickle fork is something that can do it, but wasn't really meant to.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Im confused are you pulling the pitman arm or the connecting rod off it