steering arm removal stressed and frustrated

my '91 v2500 4x4 suburban is being lifted as we speak. really not a problem to do until, i had to remove the steering arm to replace it with the right one. man, i have been banging, heating and prying all frickin day. it wont budge! i tried some chinsy ass puller and i broke it. it couldnt handle the burb. what the hell works? all of you must know what i am talkin about.  
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Strength before Comfort..
1991 V2500 Suburban 4x4 5.7 14 bolt 4" up 35" BFGs 4:88's manual lock
Built 'OldSchool Chevy Tuff!!'

Are you having problems with the conical washers that the nuts tighten down on?  If so, in the past what I have done is to go around hitting the entire perimeter of the steering arm with a ball peen hammer.  This loosens the conical washers so that they can be removed.  You will not be able to remove the arm until those washers come out of the holes, I guarantee it.  I made the mistake (when I was much younger) of trying to drive a cold chisel in between the steering arm and the knuckle one time and have a nice scar above my right eye to show for it!  The chisel shot out and hit me right above the eye and left a nice half moon crescent on me for the rest of my life.  Don't make the same mistake I did thinking I could outsmart that thing.  Just lightly tap the arm around the whole perimeter of the thing and those washers will slowly start to come out.  They are a PITA but it will happen.  Soak them with some penetrating lubricant for an hour or two, that will help alot.  

haha they are soaking now. i did the same thing that you are talking about, last night. only difference, the chisel just missed my face. tappin hasnt helped yet but, hopefully soon.. ill keep posting.
thanks  
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Strength before Comfort..
1991 V2500 Suburban 4x4 5.7 14 bolt 4" up 35" BFGs 4:88's manual lock
Built 'OldSchool Chevy Tuff!!'

hey wjax, thanks a lot man. i did exactly what you said and, lets just say, "i kicked its a**". that frickin thing was a pain. i didnt have any of those cone\wedge inserts to replace the originals so, i used flat washers and lock washers until i can get to the dealer and get the right stuff. do you think that it will be ok like that?
once again, good advise...  
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Strength before Comfort..
1991 V2500 Suburban 4x4 5.7 14 bolt 4" up 35" BFGs 4:88's manual lock
Built 'OldSchool Chevy Tuff!!'

RCG:
hey wjax, thanks a lot man. i did exactly what you said and, lets just say, "i kicked its a**". that frickin thing was a pain. i didnt have any of those cone\wedge inserts to replace the originals so, i used flat washers and lock washers until i can get to the dealer and get the right stuff. do you think that it will be ok like that?
once again, good advise...

ABSOLUTELY NOT!  Do not risk it, that is a very dangerous situation that can lead to a catastrophic steering failure.  Beg, borrow, or steal a ride to the dealership or local parts place to get some new ones.  It is the only safe way to do it.  I'm suprised though, usually the new arm comes with washers.  Oh well, I'm glad you were able to get it off without any "Facial Injuries", lol.  Glad I could help.  

ok man, i will hold off till i get the right stuff.
check this out. i just put the tires on and rolled it out of the shop. the passenger side (front and rear) is about 2 or 2 1\2 inches lower than the drivers side. what is the frickin problem now? it just got dark so, i am quitting for the night. i did take a quick glance and everything looks alright. any ideas?  
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Strength before Comfort..
1991 V2500 Suburban 4x4 5.7 14 bolt 4" up 35" BFGs 4:88's manual lock
Built 'OldSchool Chevy Tuff!!'

I would look at the rear shackles on both front and rear springs.  Could be that.  Otherwise, hard to say without seeing it myself.  When you can get a good look at it in the light, inspect everything really well and get back to us.  We'll see what we can come up with.  

i had that same problem with my 87 Silverado. i wound up drilling 2 holes in the original arm and smaking it with a 3 pound hammer. the wedges shot out and the damn thing fell on the floor.  
[X] Give Er Hell [X]

when it comes to that steering arm, i looked all over the web and found that we are not the only ones who have been through hell with there steering arms. that just tells ya, chevy's can take a beating..! you have to earn a right to disassemble a chevy, some how...  
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Strength before Comfort..
1991 V2500 Suburban 4x4 5.7 14 bolt 4" up 35" BFGs 4:88's manual lock
Built 'OldSchool Chevy Tuff!!'

lol yea my 87 isnt the only Chevy ive had a *** of a time getting apart  
[X] Give Er Hell [X]

Well, 20 to 30 years of never coming off of a vehicle seems to make parts become really comfortable together.  Then, when we try to take them apart, they fight us tooth and nail because they've been together for so long, they develop separation anxiety!!  

hahaha yea been there done that...nothin the tourch and a BFH dosnt take care of though.but workin on an old truck is just like working on farm equipment. nothing is gonna 'just come apart.' you kinda have to go into the project that your gonna cut everything and plan accordingly  
[X] Give Er Hell [X]

I am having a heck of a time getting my sterring arm off! I have beat and beat on this thing.I have tried everything you guys have offered except the drilling holes. I can't get it to budge!HELP!!!! I have everything on for the lift but this stupid thing! What can I do?  

I have never had one that wouldn't come off with the method I described above.  Ball peen hammer beating all the way around the perimeter of the thing has always worked.  

bang, lube bang, lube wait bang, lube try again bang lube wait   try again.. etc...  
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Strength before Comfort..
1991 V2500 Suburban 4x4 5.7 14 bolt 4" up 35" BFGs 4:88's manual lock
Built 'OldSchool Chevy Tuff!!'