7/19/09
Removing the Pitman Arm

The special tool I used to remove the pitman arm on my 330 America fits without disconnecting the steering components.

With the steering shaft and steering box nuts and bolts removed, I carefully pryed the steering box away from the steering shaft. As the splined shaft came away from the steering shaft u-joint, I got the clearance I would need to install the tool on the end of the Pitman Arm. The special tool made quick work of pulling the arm off the splined and tapered shaft on the bottom of the steering shaft.

This picture reminds me that my down draft tubes are incorrect for my car. They started out as clear vinyl and have darkened to the yellow color you see now. The original hose is a ribbed hose, and is available in reproduction, but I also found a set of nice original ones. One of these days. I might put the correct hoses in, but the untrained eye, the hose now has the right color!

The next step is to order the correct oil seals to stop the leaking from the bottom of the steering box. Sometimes, oil seals can be sourced from a local supplier instead of getting from the “Usual Ferrari Suspects,” but the ZF steering box has a strange size for a seal. The outer diameter of the steering shaft seal measures 42.5mm. I checked this measurement several times, but Geof Ohland of Partsource confirmed the strange size after I tried to see if a local autoparts store had a seal that would work. Sometimes, it’s just easier to order from the guys who know Ferrari parts!

Just a reminder, I’m looking for a new Vintage Ferrari Project. If you have, or know of a restoration project, please let me know. It would be great to restore another car on this website! My E-mail.

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