pitman arm nut

[Don B.]

I'm changing the steering box and need to remove the pitman arm on my '64 coupe. I thought the nut was 1-1/4", but it is larger by some small fraction and my guess is that it's 1-9/32". Is this correct?? If this is indeed the case, who manufactures a socket (1/2" drive preferred) that fit the nut??
Tnx, Don

[Mike M.]

Re: pitman arm nut

craftsman likely, snap on almost certainly. mike

[John H.]

Re: pitman arm nut

Don -

It's 1-5/16"; pretty standard 1/2"-drive impact socket (Sears, Harbor Freight, etc.).

[Joe L.]

Re: pitman arm nut

Don----

There is no 1-9/32" socket manufactured that I am aware of. The closest you can get for this nut is 1-5/16". I've never been satisfied with the fitment of a 1-5/16" socket or wrench on this nut, but it's the best you can do. Once-upon-a-time, I checked this out thoroughly and could find NO socket or wrench available to fit this nut the way that a socket or wrench should fit a hex head fastner. There is not now nor was there ever a Kent-Moore special wrench or socket for this nut.

I don't understand why this nut was made with the this oddball "across-the-flats" size.

[Mike McKown]

It was made for a big pipe wrench *NM*

[Don B.]

Re: pitman arm nut

Thanks to all of you who have responded so quickly... particularly you, Joe. You have reinforced my research results in that I have not yet found a 1-9/32" socket made by anyone. I agree that 1-5/16" socket would "fit", but I don't like that sloppiness either. I thought that a metric socket would fit, but try to find a 33mm socket! A long time ago (46 yrs), socket were made in 1/32" increments - I've got one (by SK) since my Model A required it... but times have changed.
TNX, Don

[Joe L.]

Re: pitman arm nut

Don-----

Believe me, for awhile I was OBSESSED with finding a socket that would properly fit this nut. I never found one, though. I thought of the metric route, too, but, as you say, there's no metric socket to be found in an "equivalent" size, either.

[Rob A.]

Re: pitman arm nut

Don,

Sears has a large box wrench that fits well, with no slop. I believe it was 1 5/16", but I can't remember for sure, anyway, it didn't round the nut at all and provided plenty of leverage.

[Joe L.]

Re: pitman arm nut

Rob-----

A 1-5/16" size is th best thing that's available. However, I would, personally, NEVER use a 12 point socket or wrench on this nut. As I say, the 1-5/16" fits sloppily enough as it is. Couple that with the breakaway torque often needed to loosen this nut, and I think you're asking for problems using a 12 point socket or wrench. I use only a 6 point socket or wrench on this nut.

[John H.]

Re: pitman arm nut

In the plant we used an ordinary 6-point 1-5/16" 1/2"-drive impact socket made by Apex; they still supply most assembly plant sockets, but any 1-5/16" 6-point impact socket will work fine.