Over the weekend I installed new tie rods on my truck, both inner and outer on passenger and driver sides. That was a heck of a work out, I really wish they would not paint the threads on new auto parts. I would have used a die nut but obtaining one of the right size and then the price would have probably been out of this world.

I did an at home alignment where you run a stringer along side the truck and adjust your tie rods by measuring the distances properly. That worked fairly decent but took it to Mizelles in the end to make sure it was set just right. Them guys do an awesome job in there.

I still have to change out my Pitman Arm sometime soon but am waiting for it to cool down a bit. I would have already installed it but I can not get the bolt from the steering box to turn on just my power. She is really on there, corrosion and all, lol. I will probably have to take an air ratchet or an impact to get a good amount of torque on it to finally pull back.

I shoulda probably taken some pictures of the process.

 

Tomcat,
Leverage is a wonderful thing. A breaker bar in 1/2" or 3/4" drive is usually a winning combination.
If you have air... have gun (1/2"), will travel. I'm in Western Branch.

BobV

 

Appreciate the offer Bob, I have a 1/2" gun and air. It was late when I was playing with it and started raining so I didn't even worry about busting it all out. I think I am going to wait a week or so to let it hopefully cool down and I will probably change out the Idler arm at the same time. Hopefully if I do it right I will not have to have it aligned again but you never know, probably will end up.

1/2" - 3/4" breaker bars are great tools, you can defenitly get some good leverage out of them. Personally I prefer using a breaker bar over a ratchet most of the time when it comes to large sockets, to me it's just easier to use.

I've got a 3/4" impact at work, I bet that would get that nut off, lol

 

...sounds like you have the tools.
I understand the slide for weather.
Good luck with the project.

BobV