How do I Install a Bronco Drop Pitman Arm?
- 1). Raise the front of the truck using a floor jack positioned under the front cross-member. Slide jack stands under the frame and lower the Bronco onto them by releasing the jack slowly. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels and apply the parking brake.
- 2). Remove the cotter pin and nut from the pitman arm, at the point that the tie-rod attaches to it, using a 3/4-inch socket and ratchet. Strike the pitman arm, on the end near the tie-rod, with a large hammer. This will flex the pitman arm slightly and pop the tie-rod out of the arm without damage to the tie-rod dust boot.
- 3). Remove the 1 1/4-inch nut, that secures the pitman arm to the steering gearbox, from the output shaft of the steering gearbox using a large socket and ratchet. Slip the pitman arm puller over the arm and line up the center shaft of the puller with the output shaft on the gearbox. Turn the center shaft on the puller with a 3/4-inch wrench until the arm pops off the shaft.
- 4). Slip the new pitman arm onto the output shaft. The large spine in the pitman arm lines up with the notch on the output shaft to index the arm correctly and ensure a straight steering wheel when the job is complete. Install the nut and lock washer and tighten them securely.
- 5). Slip the tie-rod onto the pitman arm and tighten the retaining nut securely. Install a new cotter pin into the pitman arm to prevent the nut from loosening. Screw the new grease fitting into the end of the pitman arm and use a grease gun to inject grease into the arm.
- 6). Raise the truck off the jack stands with the floor jack. Remove the stands and lower the truck to the ground.
