Easy pitman removal

[Big98z71]

Rebuilt the front end of my 98 today. I have hydraulics running off power steering pump so removal of gear box is very time consuming. We hammered on the pitman to help un seat it, then tried a good hard long chisel. Not much luck. I then decided to drill 2 1/8th inch hole in the pitman towards the splines almost all the way. I would step up 2 sizes as I went till I got true 2 holes to 1 long slot. 2 more hits with the chisel and it popped, then just had to loosed the gear box and all was done. In case you are wandering, to remove my gear box completely, I would have to remove a 1 1/2 gal tank, and braces and 4 additional hoses. Hope this helps others in the future