The pitman shaft is a tapered spline.
So is the broached hole in the pitman arm.

So far, every one I've removed required the use of a puller after the nut and lock washer were off.


Are you running good quality Borgeson or Flaming River U-joints?
Some of the other brands develop play pretty quick and even though it doesn't seem to be much, it adds up pretty quick at the steering wheel.
.030 at each U-joint can give you excessive slop at the wheel.

Got a motors manual?
Follow the box adjustment method in it.