Richard Cooper

I am going to replace the rear main seal in my 1981 stock 350 with auto tranny. Does anyone know which steering component I must remove to get the oil pan out? Is it the pitman arm or the steering ram cylinder?
Thanks in advance for any help. :seeya

Larry B.

The ram is easy to move.. Take it loose from the frame and then drop the long drag link. The pitman arm takes a special tool but you shouln't have to remove it.

Paul Borowski

Hello Richie-I think you can unbolt the idler arm at passenger side bracket, disconnect pitman arm from steering gear box, and steering linkage should drop down and swing out of the way enough to get oil pan down.

ram82fire

Remove the nut on the idler arm and just pull the linkage down , the pan will come right out . I took mine down 3 days ago .

geo

Big Fish

I think you could undo the bolts holding the idler to the right side of the frame and drop the whole linkage far enough to remove the oil pan.

Richard Cooper

Thanks guys, you are all great. This is the best place ever. I'll be out in the shed this weekend, thanks again for the quick response. :hurray:

Paul L

A little late but here you go.