M38 Jeep Restoration MC21002

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 3:14 pm

Are you maybe confusing the parts names? Have you looked at the diagrams? The drag link is long bar that goes from front of the vehicle to the pitman arm and the pitman arm goes on the end of the steering box sector shaft. If your trying to pull the pitman arm from the box, then yes there is a nut that holds it on. You can see if a pickle fork can knock it off but don't crazy wacking on it. Best to use a puller once you get the steering system out. If your trying to separate the drag link from the pitman, there is a cap at the end of the draglink. You have to pull a cotter pin then turn the that cap out. This holds the pitman arms ball captive in the drag links slot.

I had to do it the latter way. I was not ever able to remove my steering wheel. I seperated the draglink from the pitman and pulled the steering wheel, shaft, box and pitman all together once the floor was removed.
Brett

wadefreedomvehicles · Post by **wadefreedomvehicles** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 3:23 pm

Ok I got the names right, and Brett, is that at the front.

"If your trying to separate the drag link from the pitman, there is a cap at the end of the draglink. You have to pull a cotter pin then turn the that cap out. This holds the pitman arms ball captive in the drag links slot.
"

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 3:24 pm

There are caps at both ends. Just pull the rear one out.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 3:31 pm

Do yourself a favor. When you do pull the Pittman arm off the sector
shaft make marks first on both so you know how to line them back
up on assembly. It will save you some time.

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 3:41 pm

4x4M38 wrote:Do yourself a favor. When you do pull the Pittman arm off the sector
shaft make marks first on both so you know how to line them back
up on assembly. It will save you some time.

X2 + add some anti-seize.

wadefreedomvehicles · Post by **wadefreedomvehicles** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 4:20 pm

Ok So I figured out how to disconnect them, But what do you mean by mark them?

Post by **wesk** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 9:09 pm

That rod has a front end and a rear end and it is very difficult to determine which is which. The bends at each end are slightly different.

On the pitman arm you should take a prick punch and mark the end of the shaft relative to the face of the pitman arm so you can get her aligned the same when you go back together.

wadefreedomvehicles · Post by **wadefreedomvehicles** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 9:44 pm

Ok cool thanks. I talked to Bretto and he helped me figure out what I need to do. I wish I could keep working on it over the weekend but Iv'e go to get ready to go get 2 Gama Goats on Saturday.

wadefreedomvehicles · Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:04 am

So does the cap on the rear end just pull off or does it twist off like a bolt?

Bretto · Post by **Bretto** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:37 am

Its threaded and screws out.

wadefreedomvehicles · Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:43 am

Oh, ok. so should i unscrew it with a wrench or a flat head. cause it has that + on it.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 10:44 am

I never could get a big screwdriver in there to get it loose.
I used a big Motha washer and put the edge in the slot,
then turned the washer with a Crescent wrench.

Don't lose those plugs. The rebuild kits come with new ones,
and I killed myself trying to figure out why they wouldn't thread
into the drag link. Cleaned, thread chased, wash, rinse,
repeat.....

Finally dragged the old ones out, cleaned them up and they screwed
right in. Makes no sense, but there it is.

wadefreedomvehicles · Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:08 am

Ok thanks, I got it out with a one inch crescent wrench. Now how do I disconnect the pitman arm from the drag link? do I have to take all the other things out of the drag link?

Post by **wesk** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:11 am

For you younger folks not familiar with steering systems that used drag links there has been a socket made just for them that has been around almost a century now. It is called a "Drag Link" socket! Comes in several widths.

You remove the cotterpin

Select the correct widt blade

Remove thusly

DO CAREFULLY RECORD WHICH PIECE CAME OUT IN WHICH ORDER!!!@!

bECAUSE THESE NEW PARTS GO IN IN DIFFERENT ORDER DEPENDING ON WEATHER YOU ARE INSTALLING IN THE FRONT OR REAR END OF THE DRAG LINK.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:23 am

The blue inserts represent the ball links on the pitman arm and the bellcrank. They are inserted in the drawing relative to the parts used to retain them.