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REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Idler Arm
  1. Raise and support the front end on jackstands.
  2. Remove the idler arm-to-center link nut and cotter pin. Disconnect the center link from the idler arm using a ball joint separator.
  3. Unbolt and remove the idler arm.
  4. Installation is the reverse of removal. Torque the center link nut to 58 ft. lbs. on 1972–84 trucks, or 36 ft. lbs. on 1986 trucks, the frame mounting bolts to 40 ft. lbs. on 1972–84 trucks, or 69 ft. lbs. on 1986 trucks.
Pitman Arm
  1. Raise and support the front end on jackstands.
  2. Remove the cotter pin and nut attaching the center link to the Pitman arm.
  3. Disconnect the center link from the Pitman arm with a ball joint separator.
  4. Matchmark the Pitman arm and sector shaft.
  5. Remove the Pitman arm-to-sector shaft nut and remove the Pitman arm. It may be necessary to use a puller.
  6. Installation is the reverse of removal. Make sure you align the matchmarks. Tighten the Pitman arm-to-sector shaft nut to 130 ft. lbs.; the Pitman arm-to-center link nut to 32 ft. lbs. on 1972–86 trucks. If the cotter pin does not align, tighten the nut to make it line up; never loosen it!
Center Link
  1. Raise and support the front end on jackstands.
  2. Disconnect the center link at the tie rods, Pitman arm and idler arm.
  3. Installation is the reverse of removal. Tighten all of the nuts to:

    Pitman arm nut: 28 ft. lbs.

    Idler arm nut: 47 ft. lbs.

    Tie rod nut: 25 ft. lbs.

  4. 1976–84

    Idler arm nut: 58 ft. lbs.

    All others: 29 ft. lbs.

  5. 1986 all nuts: 32 ft. lbs.
Tie Rod Ends

Fig. 1: It's a good idea to matchmark all adjusting points on the tie rods before removal of any one component — this will help to maintain the same alignment settings

  1. Loosen the tie rod clamp nuts (jam nuts, 1977 and later).
  2. Remove and discard the cotter pin from the ball socket end, and remove the nut.
  3. Use a ball joint puller to loosen the ball socket stud from the center link. Remove the stud from the kingpin steering arm in the same way.
  4. Unscrew the tie rod end from the threaded sleeve, counting the number of threads until it's off. The threads may be left or right-hand threads. Tighten the jam nuts to 58 ft. lbs.
  5. To install, lightly coat the threads with grease, and turn the new end in as many turns as were required to remove it. This will give the approximate correct toe-in.
  6. Install the ball socket studs into center link and kingpin steering arm. Tighten the nuts to 25 ft. lbs. for models through 1976; 32 ft. lbs. for 1977–86 models. Install a new cotter pin. You may tighten the nut to fit the cotter pin, but don't loosen it.
  7. Check and adjust the toe-in, and tighten the tie rod clamps or jam nuts.

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