GM 9195731
Pitman Arm

The procedure for servicing or fixing the Pitman Arm starts with properly supporting and raising the vehicle. Use the relay rod removal tool (J42400) to release the relay from the Pitman Arm while you have already taken off the relay rod to Pitman Arm ball stud nut. Safer methods than driving wedges should be used to disconnect steering linkage joints because this practice provides risk of both seal damage and early equipment failure. After matching the Pitman Arm layout with the steering gear splines, remove the Pitman Arm nut and washer with attention to the rubber steering gear shaft protector. The tool j6627-a serves to remove the Pitman Arm through the tie rod / wheel stud remover function. Start by positioning the front wheels at straight ahead while also placing the rubber steering gear shaft protector. Position the Pitman Arm shaft against the marked scribe of the steering gear while installing it for assembly. Both the Pitman Arm and steering gear include blind splines as their design. Use a new Pitman Arm washer followed by tightening the nut to 160 nm (118 ft. Lbs.). The relay rod needs to be put back onto the Pitman Arm while using the linkage installer (J42089) for the ball stud of the relay rod. Secure the new self-locking Pitman Arm ball stud nut by applying 30 nm (22 ft. Lbs) torque. Apply the linkage installer (J42089) to the relay rod ball stud once you remove it before fastening the relay rod to the Pitman Arm ball stud nut at 60 nm (44 ft. Lbs.). Adjust the toe until the steering wheel reaches its proper specification after lowering the vehicle.

When repairing or servicing the idler arm you should start by raising and supporting the vehicle. To start the idler arm service and repair you must remove the idler arm bolts as well as the relay rod-to-idler arm ball stud nut. Detach the idler arm from the relay rod with the Relay Rod Removal Tool (J42400). Installation begins with attaching the idler arm along with its bolts before tightening all idler arm bolts to 60 Nm (44 ft. lbs.). After that step, mount the relay rod onto the idler arm position. Apply the Linkage Installer (J42089) tool to the relay rod ball stud while tightening it to 30 Nm (22 ft; lbs.) before taking out the tool. The proper installation of the relay rod-to-idler arm ball stud nut requires a fresh self-locking nut and appropriate torque of 60 Nm (44 ft. lbs.). Finally, lower the vehicle.

Raising and supporting the vehicle must happen before starting the pitman arm replacement work. Remove the pitman arm ball stud nut on the relay rod and detach the relay from the arm through the use of the Relay Rod Removal Tool (J 42400). Driving wedges between the steering linkage joint and its attached part leads to damage of seals and speeds up failure. Mark the pitman arm alignment with the steering gear splines before taking off the pitman arm nut along with washer while keeping note of the rubber steering gear shaft protector. The Tie Rod / Wheel Stud Remover (J 6627-A) will help you remove the pitman arm. When installing the front wheels must be parallel while the rubber steering gear shaft protector must be correctly positioned. Install the pitman arm onto the pitman arm shaft at the marked positions on the steering gear assuring the blind-splined connection between the pitman arm and steering gear. Insert a new washer onto the pitman arm before tightening its nut to 160 Nm using torque wrench. Install the Linkage Installer (J 42089) into the relay rod ball stud for tightening it to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.) with a new self-locking pitman arm ball stud nut. Secure the relay rod onto the pitman arm ball stud nut by using the Linkage Installer (J 42089) until it reaches 60 Nm (44 ft. lbs.). Adjust the toe to the proper specification after lowering the vehicle when the steering wheel maintains its straight alignment.

In order to remove the idler arm, lift and hold it up and provide added support at the far end to prevent dropping of the vehicle onto the hoist. Retreat idler arm bolts and relay rod-to-Idler arm ball stud nut. Remove the idler arm from the relay rod using the Relay Rod Removal Tool (J 42400). For installation, start with the installation of the idler arm and bolts, where you tighten the idler arm bolts to 60 Nm (44 ft. lbs.). Next, secure the relay rod to the idler arm and the use the Linkage Installer (J 42089) on the relay rod ball stud and tighten it to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs), and then take off the tool. When fitting the relay rod-to-idler arm ball stud nut a new self-locking idler arm ball stud nut is to be used and will need to be tightened to 60 Nm (44 ft. lbs.). Finally, lower the vehicle.