Because everyone likes pics, here are a few of the Pitman arm/idler arm/idler link arm install I did today. And a couple of notes from what I learned doing it.
MMMMMM... new stuff!!!
You can do this job without pulling the sway bar but dang it's much easier getting to everything without that bar in the way.
Old and new idler arm and idler link arm. It's easiest to pull them as a combo instead of trying to separate them on the truck. Besides, I ordered both pieces new so what the heck. The lower bolt holding the idler link arm is REALLY REALLY close to the AC tensioner pulley.
The Pitman arm was more of a pain. I watched a couple youtube videos on this and people said to take the steering box out. I really wasn't wating to open up the power steering lines so upon further review, I decided to remove the upper two steering box bolts and loosen the lowest bolt. I was then able to rotate up the steering box and get my pitman arm puller on it (there's a frame piece in the way). So hooking the pitman arm puller onto it along with an impact driver and a BFH got the pitman arm off. OH!! And a trip to Home Depot, because I'm stupid and didn't have frickin 32mm wrench to take the jam nut off of the gear box.
So, upon reassembly I made the mistake of putting the steering arm back on the pitman arm and idler arm before I pout the bolts back in the steering box. Don't do that. Makes it much harder to line up the steering box. Then installed the sway bar.
I also took the time to do about an 1/8th turn adjustment of the steering gear box. It drives so much better now. No play at all. Next up will be new tie rod end links. No play but the dust boots are crappy.