Pitman Arm Installation

Q: Pitman Arm Installation

I just received a new pitman arm from Ames today. I know how to remove it, but how do you install it without misalignment to the steering gear? There doesn’t seem to be any marking on the new arm I can see.

A: the pitman arm has a spline cut in such a way that it could be put on in 4 different positions 80 degrees apart , if you pull the old one off and don’t move any thing Just put the new one on and it will be correct, If starting with every thing off and out. Center your steering wheel, turn all the way in one direction turn back the other direction counting turns then center is half of that, straighten tires, And the correct placement will be apparent in this general area. An alignment may be necessary as wheel center when tires are straight may be off, besides an alignment is a good idea any time front end parts are replaced. good luck

A: Results: I installed the new Pitman Arm on my 1968 yesterday. It took about 20 minutes after jacking up the car and removing the driver side wheel.

The new arm is made by a company in Modesto, CA. called Rare Parts. Ames stocks them and sells them for $100. Rare Parts will sell it to you for around $140! Ames was the cheapest place I could find one. No problem installing the part, except it caused my steering wheel to be off center by about 10 degrees. Now I have to pull it and re-center it.

I did make a significant difference on the handling. No more wandering, nice and stiff. Upon removal of the old arm, the center pin that bolts to the center link fell out. That tells you how worn it was.

A: I would NOT remove and move the steering wheel to center it, as the steering gearbox has a centerpoint! Get the alignment checked, you’ll need the toe adjustment set to center the wheel properly.

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