Stuck steering arm

[beastie_3]

I am in the process of replacing my steering on my 79 K10 and I can not get the steering arm off. I took the 3 nuts off and soaked the studs in wd40 and PB and the thing just wont come off. I have even placed a jack under it to try to get it off and no luck. The only thing I havent tried is heat because I dont have a source. Any help???

[VileZambonie]

Did you remove the washers? IF you don't have a torch get a small MAP torch. Use a BFH (3lb) and shock the steering arm.

[Josh454]

Yep, exactly.  Need lots of heat and hammering.   

[beastie_3]

It is my understanding that there are cone shaped shims that slide down the studs to take up the space. My new steering arm holes are beveled. That is all i see when the nuts are off. Ill go back and try again. Ill see if I can round up a bigger hammer.

[VileZambonie]

If you did not remove the conical washers then that is your problem.

[beastie_3]

They are almost flush with the top of the arm and I am almost positive it hasn't been touched since the factory. What would be the best way to get them out? Should I try to remove the studs?

[dirtmod0]

only way to do it is use heat and a lot of it, it took about an hour with air hammer and shops torch and finally rattled the washers out. I put the air hammer right beside the washers rattled the heck out of it and it finally started to move up.

[VileZambonie]

Clean the area around the studs and soak it with penetrating oil. Heat them up and try working them loose with a hammer and punch first. Shock the arm with a bfh, put the nuts on too to protect the threads. an air hammer will help too.

[79scottsdale]

Clean the area around the studs and soak it with penetrating oil. Heat them up and try working them loose with a hammer and punch first. Shock the arm with a bfh, put the nuts on too to protect the threads. an air hammer will help too.

Ditto, worked for me.

[captain carnage]

I have taken an an angle grinder to the arm itself, where it meets the knuckle, and ground away at the arm untill I could get a punch in there. Then I whacked away with a hammer until eventually the cone washers popped up and the arm freed itself. The name of the whole game is just determination no matter what method you use.

[bmaier]

I had the same problem...
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=10786.0

[beastie_3]

Ok thanks guys, Ill let you all know when I get it done. Do parts stores carry the conical washers and/or studs if/when I damage them? Or will I be needing to order them from a specialty store? I have lost the conical washers when I got the steering arm a few years back.....Doh

[bmaier]

I got mine from the local Chevy dealership, they were pretty cheap if I remember right.

[beastie_3]

Is this any good for heating up the parts? http://www.lowes.com/pd_299446-717-2880088_0_?productId=3133747&Ntt=torch&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntk=i_products$No=60$Ntt=torch

[beastie_3]

Would these work? http://www.partsmike.com/store/store.php?crn=204&rn=1314&action=show_detail

I know its for a D44 and I have 10 bolt, but externally they are similar.