Power steering pitman arm #
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Bear Creek PA
Power steering pitman arm #
I have a 68 convert, 327 car. I think it had been converted to power steering by previous owner. I think the steering is too fast, in that it takes very little turning of the wheel for the car to respond dramatically. Feels very darty and like th rear end is trying to come around.
Considering how they did the power brake conversion (I returned it back to manual), I imagine that corners were cut here as well, and it makes sense that the manual steering arm would be a longer arm than power steering resulting in this problem. Could anyone supply me the part numbers for manual and power steering pitman arms for my application? (And if it's one in the same, I guess I shouldn't get out of my 69 Grand Prix, 70 Le mans or 54 Packard and jump in the Vette!!!)
KV
PS I'm a Pontiac restorer of many years and do lack a familiarity with the Vette. (But hey Pontiac never made anything likethe 68-73 Vette!!!) ANyone out there in NE PA near Scranton that could help sort this car out and see if it's the car or ME!
Considering how they did the power brake conversion (I returned it back to manual), I imagine that corners were cut here as well, and it makes sense that the manual steering arm would be a longer arm than power steering resulting in this problem. Could anyone supply me the part numbers for manual and power steering pitman arms for my application? (And if it's one in the same, I guess I shouldn't get out of my 69 Grand Prix, 70 Le mans or 54 Packard and jump in the Vette!!!)
KV
PS I'm a Pontiac restorer of many years and do lack a familiarity with the Vette. (But hey Pontiac never made anything likethe 68-73 Vette!!!) ANyone out there in NE PA near Scranton that could help sort this car out and see if it's the car or ME!
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
The pitman arms should be the same for Power and manual.
For power GM moved the tierod end to the inside position to give a faster ratio. A Vette is not supposed to handle like a 69 Grand Prix (I have a 68 Bonneville) and will feel very direct compared.
For power GM moved the tierod end to the inside position to give a faster ratio. A Vette is not supposed to handle like a 69 Grand Prix (I have a 68 Bonneville) and will feel very direct compared.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,156
Likes: 3,965
From: Connecticut, USA
PS and manual steering cars use different pitman arms. The boxes are the same. PS cars only use the forward hole in the knuckle,the other hole is plugged at the factory.
The picture below is of a PS arm.
Gary
The picture below is of a PS arm.
Gary
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The pitman arms should be the same for Power and manual.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
OK, if they are different, what is the exact difference. You learn something every day!
Before I converted to rack I installed power on my Vette when I did the original RHD conversion. I used a RHD 64 chevy pitman arm because GM doesn't make a RHD Vette one. It was the mirror of the vette manual one and it all seemed to work fine.
Before I converted to rack I installed power on my Vette when I did the original RHD conversion. I used a RHD 64 chevy pitman arm because GM doesn't make a RHD Vette one. It was the mirror of the vette manual one and it all seemed to work fine.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Bear Creek PA
HEy thanks for the help, esp the pics, GTR 1999.
The tie rod is in the wrong place, currently located in the more rear hole. Will switch tomorrow. Car was obviously converted since there is no rivet in the rear hole.
The Ptiman arm is likely aftermarket, since it has no GM part number cast in it. SHould I assume it is part of the conversion kit? WIll print up the pics to see how close it is to the GM stuff.
Probably better off getting the GM part? Anyone have one for sale?
Thanks for all the help.
The tie rod is in the wrong place, currently located in the more rear hole. Will switch tomorrow. Car was obviously converted since there is no rivet in the rear hole.
The Ptiman arm is likely aftermarket, since it has no GM part number cast in it. SHould I assume it is part of the conversion kit? WIll print up the pics to see how close it is to the GM stuff.
Probably better off getting the GM part? Anyone have one for sale?
Thanks for all the help.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Bear Creek PA
From a close inspection, I think the PItman arm is OK. It has the steep drop at the control valve end. Makes sense that it's too fast right now inthe rear spindle mount, being a longer lever. Should help quite a bit, as will new rear spindle support rods, since those bushings are shot. I'lll give the final result tomorrrow.
Thanks again.
KV
Thanks again.
KV
good luck with your vette.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Bear Creek PA
GOt the arm changed to the right position but the final results will have to wait...Toe is so far out it squeals the front tires over 10 mph. And I'll have to change the control arm bushings first, so we'll see in a week or two.
KV
KV
