Pitman arm help
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Pitman arm help
I recently rebuilt my steering box and couldn't get the pitman arm to mount all the way down on the splines. The furthest it goes it leaves about 3/4" of splines showing. The splines on the box are a little (very little) distorted but the splines on the pitman arm itself seem straight.
I did my best to clean up the splines with a small file, but still no luck.
Well, there was some luck, bad luck unfortunately...(in hindsight it's shear stupidity, not bad luck)
In the heat of aggravation I tried to "persuade" the pitman arm to its rightfull resting place with the help of a small sledge hammer.
The pitman arm didn't seat any further, but it did break the lash adjustment cap (the thingy with the 3 bolts and the lash adjustment screw running through it).
Now i don't know what to do.
I need to track down a new one of those caps, but i also need to make sure that the same thing doesn't happen again, so is there any trick to getting the pitman arm fully seated or do i need a new pitman arm, or worse, a new pitman arm shaft?
- If so, i think i would be be better off buying another box.
I could use your thoughts on the matter.
I did my best to clean up the splines with a small file, but still no luck.
Well, there was some luck, bad luck unfortunately...(in hindsight it's shear stupidity, not bad luck)
In the heat of aggravation I tried to "persuade" the pitman arm to its rightfull resting place with the help of a small sledge hammer.
The pitman arm didn't seat any further, but it did break the lash adjustment cap (the thingy with the 3 bolts and the lash adjustment screw running through it).
Now i don't know what to do.
I need to track down a new one of those caps, but i also need to make sure that the same thing doesn't happen again, so is there any trick to getting the pitman arm fully seated or do i need a new pitman arm, or worse, a new pitman arm shaft?
- If so, i think i would be be better off buying another box.
I could use your thoughts on the matter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
It is possible to actually twist the pitman shaft if your front wheel(s) in a severe frontal impact. That may be why you mention that the "splines are a little distorted."
Now that you have whacked it with a sledge hammer and broke the aluminum top cover, you had better start over with a new steering gear. (And put the sledge hammer away!)
Torquing the pitman nut to 145 ft-lbs will always seat the pitman arm correctly.
Jim
Now that you have whacked it with a sledge hammer and broke the aluminum top cover, you had better start over with a new steering gear. (And put the sledge hammer away!)
Torquing the pitman nut to 145 ft-lbs will always seat the pitman arm correctly.
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Are you sure you have the right Pitman? They're different for power steering vs. manual.
Also,..a sledge hammer? You may have done more damage than just the top-cover.
Big Jim,..how ya been? It's Wes who you met in San Antonio, TX.
Also,..a sledge hammer? You may have done more damage than just the top-cover.
Big Jim,..how ya been? It's Wes who you met in San Antonio, TX.
