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'56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57
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57Fireflite
Posted 2025-11-04 6:53 PM (#641859)
Subject: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57


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Searched the forum but haven't found my specific issue.

The shop manual sure makes it sound easy:
"... Disconnect tie rod at idler arm and pull downward and out of the way."

First, it seems the link needs to be removed to get out of the way of the pan, not a tie rod.
Second, with 4 points on the link that bolt it to the idler arm, gear arm and both tie rods, it seems to me I need to undo at least three points on the link in order to pull it downward and out of the way -- which is what I've done.
Third, due to space restrictions, I can only jack up one side (driver's) to get under it.

Could the way I have it jacked up (on just the one side) be putting the steering assembly under tension?
I've pulled cotter pins and nuts at 3 points -- gear arm, and both tie rods -- but cannot get the parts to separate.
Do I need a ball joint separator or some such tool? Or, is the way it's jacked up binding things and the reason I cannot free the link -- and that it really should be easy to separate the parts from one another?

Thanks for any information.

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56D500boy
Posted 2025-11-04 8:55 PM (#641860 - in reply to #641859)
Subject: RE: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57



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Posts: 11182
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Location: Lower Mainland BC		.
I am guessing that you will need a tie rod and Pitman Arm Puller, to do what you want.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/oemtools-tie-rod-end-and-pitman-a...

OR https://www.harborfreight.com/tie-rod-and-pitman-arm-puller-63684.ht...



As for access, ramps, even homemade one like those shown below would help you.

(I work on my 56 Dodge in a 12 x 20 garage on a concrete floor so I know some of your pain)



Edited by 56D500boy 2025-11-04 9:10 PM
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57Fireflite
Posted 2025-11-04 9:02 PM (#641861 - in reply to #641859)
Subject: Re: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57


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Thank you, sir! I appreciate the response, tool lead and ideas.
Better to do it with the front end jacked up, with tires off the ground? Or is it better to have them on something solid - ground or ramps?
I don't want to bugger up the alignment, is one of my main concerns...
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dels56
Posted 2025-11-04 9:39 PM (#641862 - in reply to #641859)
Subject: Re: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57


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The removal of the pitman arm may be a challenge as the retaining nut (1-7/16” hex ) will test your strength, even using a breaker bar. After you get the nut off, that is when you need the puller and the strong arm effect. I use my air impact wrench. The above puller is a bit too large for the tie rod ends. A tie rod puller is smaller. Getting both out of the road will allow you to drop the pan far enough to get it past the oil pump pick up. Go buy or borrow both pullers and save the frustration of laying on your back struggling.
Del
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57Fireflite
Posted 2025-11-05 7:27 PM (#641867 - in reply to #641859)
Subject: Re: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57


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Thanks dels56, 56D500boy -- appreciate the answers.
I think I'll still need to remove the tie rods and either the Gear/Pitman arm or Idler arm from the (Center?) Link.
When the weather cooperates, I'll get to it but still would like to know if it's best to have tires on the ground or can they be hanging? Again, the concern is jacking up the alignment.
Thanks again!
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dels56
Posted 2025-11-06 8:47 AM (#641870 - in reply to #641859)
Subject: Re: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57


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I would suggest that jacking it up with the wheels off the floor and disconnecting and then reconnecting the steering linkages would not affect the alignment. Those tie rod ends etc., are pretty tight connections and won't change any set distances. It is not difficult to put it back together.

Dorman makes Tie Rod End Boots, Might as well replace these while you have all apart. They are sized buy the thread size, either 1/2" & 9/16". Yours should be 1/2". I think the part numbers are 13561 & 13562

Have fun.

Del
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56D500boy
Posted 2025-11-06 1:42 PM (#641872 - in reply to #641870)
Subject: Re: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57



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Location: Lower Mainland BC		.
I was going to add that as long as you do NOT move (rotate) the tie rod adjustment sleeves, the "alignment" (Toe in/Toe out) will not change.

This should be true whether the wheels are off the ground or not. Personally, I would do this with the car up on ramps (like in the photo that I posted
the other day). In that case, the tires/wheels are not going to move so when you re-install the tie rod assembly (inners and outers as unit), it (the
assembly) should just go back to the same situation it was in before you removed it (the assembly).

Don't mess with these:



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56D500boy
Posted 2025-11-06 5:49 PM (#641875 - in reply to #641872)
Subject: Re: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57



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Posts: 11182
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Location: Lower Mainland BC		.
Now that I think a little harder (and looking at the diagrams above) and the photo below (56 Dodge with 315 Poly), I don't think that you need to remove the Pittman arm from the steering box at all.

Certainly, the inner tie rod needs to be disconnected from the Pittman arm and the outer tie rods need to be disconnected from the the inner tie rod but once that is done, the inner tie rod should be moveable,
(swung out of the way) while still attached to the idler arm. I would hope that the outer tie rods could be moveable enough to provide clearance for removal of the oil pan. That's a total of three actual disconnection
points. Not 7 or 8.

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57Fireflite
Posted 2025-11-27 9:51 PM (#642133 - in reply to #641859)
Subject: Re: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57


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Thanks guys. I feel like I now know what to do next, thanks to your insights.
Too bloody cold to work on it so it will have to wait until it warms up. I'm fairly certain there are many of us in that boat right now, ticking off the days until spring...
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57Fireflite
Posted 2025-12-18 9:40 PM (#642346 - in reply to #642133)
Subject: Re: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57


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Unexpected warmish day so got on the ground and attempted to disconnect the steering linkage.

No dice - none of the (cheap) tools I have would fit any of the steering linkage connections. Was able to make some progress where link connects to gear arm - with a hammer claw and screwdriver so might be able to insert a tool there...
Before I did, wanted to ask a few questions:

1. Contemplating removing the entire linkage assembly in one piece: at the links to gear arm and idler arm; and at the knuckle where it bolts to the hub on both sides. I might be able to pop up the entire assembly off the gear and idler arms. What do you say?

In my aggravation, I came up with a possible option:

2. I have the heads and manifold off -- is it possible to jack the block up at the pulley/balancer/crank snout enough to be able to drop the pan then?

Please see pictures and let me know what you think, please.

Thanks!



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57Fireflite
Posted 2025-12-22 1:53 PM (#642372 - in reply to #642346)
Subject: Re: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57


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Posts: 112
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Update for the group as I know you all are just dying for it...

Success achieved with the help of a neighbor, a little and BFH, acetylene torch and pickle fork. Disconnected the center link at both gear and idler arms and driver's tie rod end/ball joint.

Thanks @dels56 for the tie rod boot numbers -- will look into those. Wouldn't happen to know where I could find the rubber ring that goes between the link/gear arm and link/idler arm, would you? Those were just falling apart and half gone already.

Thanks again everyone for the help!

Onward and upward,
Jimbo
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dels56
Posted 2025-12-22 11:14 PM (#642377 - in reply to #641859)
Subject: Re: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57


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Hi Jimbo. I’m not exactly sure what rubber rings you are looking for but take a look at Andy Bernbaum Auto Parts (Oldmoparts.com). They have a good selection of front end parts for Desoto.
Del
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57Fireflite
Posted 2025-12-22 11:36 PM (#642379 - in reply to #642377)
Subject: Re: '56 DeSoto 330 oil pan removal in a '57


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Yessir, thank you.
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